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The Devestating Effects Of Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome (CTS)
by: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a devastating disorder that is one of many
listed under the general term, “Repetitive Strain Injury” (RSI).
Of all repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most
recognized and prevalent among the general populace. And due to this
recognition, many people are concerned about being afflicted with carpal
tunnel and its debilitating symptoms, a concern that should be on the
minds of anyone that is involved in work or recreational activities that
require extensive use of the hands, especially in static motions such as
“gripping” and/or repetitive motions like typing, clicking a computer
mouse, assembly, etc.
Below is a list of the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and
a list of steps that can be taken to help prevent this terrible and
devastating disorder that has reached pandemic proportions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms:
· Tightness, discomfort, stiffness or pain on the front side of the
hands/wrists.
· Tingling, numbness and/or paresthesia (Pins & needles) affecting the
thumb, index, middle and one-half of the ring finger. The thumb and
fingers do not have to be affected simultaneously as symptoms will often
vary and move around. (Example: The thumb and index finger may be numb one
day and the next day the numbness and tingling in the thumb and middle
finger are more noticeable.)
· Loss of strength in the fingers/hands. (Grip Strength)
· Pain, aching, swelling, and diminished coordination and dexterity.
· A need to stretch and/or massage hands, wrists and arms.
· Assuming a defensive posture in order to protect sensitive hands/wrists.
Because carpal tunnel syndrome and its symptoms are something that
everyone should be aware of in this day and age of computers, video games,
personal assistant devices and other “technological advances”, it is
important to take the necessary steps in order to prevent carpal tunnel
from developing in the first place.
By implementing the following steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of
getting carpal tunnel syndrome as well as stave off many other repetitive
strain injuries that are caused in the exact same manner as carpal tunnel,
such as Guyon’s Syndrome, Trigger Finger and Tendonitis of the hands and
wrists.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevention Protocol:
· Task Variation: It is wise to vary tasks throughout the day in order to
keep the force and duration of the specific motion to a minimum. If a
typical workday involves 5 types of activities; instead of doing task #1
for 1.5 hours and then moving on to task #2 for 1.5 hours, etc., it is
best if task #1 can be performed for 30-minutes and then task #2 is
performed for 30 minutes, and so on, repeating tasks #1-5 every 30 minutes
until they are completed. If this is not possible for the type of work
that is required, ask the employer health director to implement a task
rotation schedule where workers perform a different type of task every 1-2
hours throughout the day, making sure that each task is different enough
that it does not tax the same muscle group(s) in the same manner as the
previous task or the next task. It is still important that in these 1-2
hour shifts that mini-breaks are taken for 2-3 minutes every 30 minutes.
Implementing task variation is very successful tool in keeping
productivity high and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel
syndrome to a minimum.
· Task Requirement Limitation: The ‘task requirement limitation’ protocol
sets a limit on the duration and force of a given job or task, making sure
that workers are only required to perform a certain number of repetitive
movements or a certain amount of force over a specified period of time
before a break is required. Implementing a mini break for every 30 minutes
of work activity is very important in order to prevent muscle
hypertonicity and fatigue from setting in, the main causes of carpal
tunnel syndrome.
· Ergonomic Systems: Ergonomic systems and tools are important in helping
to reduce the amount of stress and strain that is inflicted upon the body,
but ergonomic systems and tools by themselves cannot prevent or “cure”
injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
· Mini-Breaks: It is very important to implement short breaks every 30
minutes of work activity in order to reduce stress and strain to the
fingers, hands, wrists and forearms. These breaks only have to last 2-3
minutes, but are key in allowing the muscles to relax, which helps to
prevent a muscle imbalance from occurring and developing into carpal
tunnel syndrome. Even more important in carpal tunnel syndrome prevention,
is implementing the following activities into these mini-breaks.
- Stretch: Stretch the short, restrictive muscles in order to lengthen
them, which, reduces pressure on the underlying muscles, blood vessels and
nerves. (Example: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Stretch the muscles on the
front of the forearm that flex the fingers, hand/wrist.)
- Exercise: Strengthen the weak, underdeveloped muscles in order to help
shorten/tighten them. Performing strengthening exercises to the muscle
groups opposite to those that are short and tight allows the muscles on
both sides of the joint to return to a more natural, balanced position.
The strong, short muscles are lengthened and the weak, long muscles are
shortened, creating equality and stability around the entire joint.
(Example: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Strengthen the muscles on the back of
the forearm that extend the fingers, hand/wrist.)
NOTE: Of all the ideas listed, the ones that are most important in
preventing and eliminating repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel
syndrome are mini-breaks, stretches and exercises.
By simply being aware and implementing a few simple techniques at work,
individuals can prevent repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel
syndrome from occurring and experience many years of good health without
ever being affected.
About The Author
Jeff P. Anliker is a Therapist and
Inventor of Flextend and other rehab products that are utilized by
Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world for
prevention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement. http://www.repetitive-strain.com.
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