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Mike Morris Osteopath and North Lancing Resident |
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| Local resident Mike Morris has been in practice as an Osteopath since 1975. He has very kindly offered to send along articles to share with us some of his knowledge and experience on keeping well. Many thanks Mike! | |
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Carpal tunnel syndrome Do you suffer with wrist and hand pain, tingling or numbness? Is it worse after a busy day on the computer and relieved when you shake your wrist or run it under the cold tap? If so, you could be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel lies at the front of your wrist, formed underneath by the carpal bones and on top by the carpal ligament, which links the bones together. Though this small space run the tendons to the front of the hand and the median nerve. Swelling of the tendons reduces the space in the tunnel and this can squeeze the nerve. The result can be numbness, tingling, pain and clumsiness of the hand. The numbness and tingling tends to affect most of the fingers sparing the little finger and half of the ring finger. The syndrome is often linked with activities involving repeated, awkward or vibrational hand use. It is also more common during pregnancy, with diabetes, under active thyroid, gout, or following damage to the wrist. Treatment is often aimed initially at avoidance of activities likely to induce pain. Anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, ice packs, and electrotherapy treatments like ultrasound may prove beneficial. Exercises aimed primarily at stretching the forearm flexor muscles can also help. Diagnosis is important, so see your GP, Osteopath, or Physiotherapist - manual therapy can help to improve joint mobility, muscle tone and drainage of the wrist and arm. Self massage of the forearm, in a downward movement can also enhance blood supply. If the symptoms are persistent and not relieved by these approaches, an operation may be needed.
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