Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the wrist, hand, and fingers. It can also be very painful and debilitating. Individuals of any age may experience this condition, which can be due to a variety of reasons.
Thankfully, an ergonomics professional can help you prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. They can also reduce the extent of symptoms and risks of complications for individuals who are dealing with this issue.
What is the carpal tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. It is surrounded by the bones of the wrist and is where the hand’s nerves as well as the muscle tendons, which flex your fingers, are located. The nerve in your hand transmits information to the brain so you can execute movements. It also transmits sensory information and controls every finger in the hand, except for the pinky finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by an increase in the pressure on the nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel. This can be due to several reasons.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
This syndrome can be caused by the way you work or practice a sport or recreational activity. It can result from:
- Repeated movements of the wrist, work on an assembly line for instance.
- A position that causes prolonged pressure on the nerve, for example when handling a computer mouse for long periods of time.
- The repeated use of vibrating tools.
- The execution of tasks that require strenuous efforts from the wrist and hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by a physical condition, such as:
- Trauma to the wrist, such as a fracture.
- Medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
- A cyst or tumour in the wrist.
- Water retention.
- A physical condition that causes a hormonal imbalance, such as menopause or pregnancy.
Who is at risk?
Workers who carry out tasks that require a lot of effort from their hands or wrists or who consistently repeat the same movements are especially at risk of developing the syndrome. People at risk include construction workers, waiters, and office workers who use a computer.
Anyone who practices sports or recreational activities that require repetitive wrist and hand movements is also at risk, including golfers, tennis players, gardeners, and even video game players.
Individuals affected by an unmanaged disease such as arthritis or diabetes may also develop the condition, as well as women who are pregnant or going through menopause.
What are the symptoms?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest itself in several ways, such as:
- A pain in the wrist and fingers. This pain can extend to the forearm and even the shoulder.
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle finger that can spread throughout the hand.
- Reduced sensitivity to heat or cold in the fingers.
- Difficulty manipulating certain objects.
It’s important to note that the intensity of symptoms can increase at night and when executing tasks causing the pain. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. That’s why prevention is essential for increasing your efficiency and making work more enjoyable.
How do you prevent the syndrome?
Advice from an ergonomics professional will help you prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. They’ll be able to give you tips to improve your posture at your workspace and advice on better ways to execute certain tasks. They can also help you with stretching exercises that you can do when you carry out tasks that may cause the syndrome. Adjusting your workstation is an inexpensive solution that is incredibly efficient because so many different tools now exist to help you improve your posture at work.
Whether you are a receptionist, office clerk, delivery person, technician, or supervisor, personalized ergonomics advice for your office can pay off! Clinique GO™ provides ergonomics services at your home or office. Our professionals travel to the location where there is a problem to evaluate how you carry out your tasks. They can also share their advice to keep you from exerting too much pressure on your carpal tunnel (as well as other areas of your body) and prevent you from suffering from this unpleasant syndrome.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
