Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[Paul Jenks]

From my experience of this type of chronic injury from both tree surgery and rowing it's often caused by gripping at the same time as using the fingers. Usually holding and using an MS200 one handed. When you grip something the muscles tighten around the sheaths that carry the tendons for your fingers. If you then use your fingers, or in this case your forefinger to pull the trigger, the friction inside the sheath builds up and can become inflamed.

The most cost effective way I found of alleviating most pain is stretching.

Very few of us stretch enough or at all and it makes so much difference to your flexibility and resilience to injury.

2 stretches for your for arms:

1st stand facing a wall at arms length. Lift your arm to horizantal with the back of your hand against the wall, fingers down. Gently lean against the wall keeping arm straight. As the pressure builds along the outside of your forearm hold the position for at least 30 seconds. Release and repeat for both arms. For more advanced stretchers turn the fingers outwards.

2nd stand facing a wall at arms length. Lift your arm to horizantal with the palm of your hand against the wall, fingers down. Gently lean against the wall keeping arm straight. As the pressure builds along the inside of your forearm hold the position for at least 30 seconds. Release and repeat for both arms

This needs to be done regularly but don't force it. It's not comfortable but shouldn't be painful.

Everyone should do it not just folk with current issues.

[selectfutures]

Hi there,

Has anyone tried or heard about good results from these here wrist straps?

Look at this link and please let me have any comment.

I think the 80 $ is probably worth a punt, as my syndrome seems to be getting worse now.

Again being a musician myself I think surgery would be a very very last resort.

Here`s my e mail to reply direct if you could. [email protected]

 

Here is the link (I am quite optimistic that it will work after seeing the testimony from the piano player)

 

Musician Friend Recommends Carpal Tunnel Solution

Thanks Derek

[nooie]

Have you ever tried acupuncture? I have had it quite a few times in my neck, back and elbows. I can go in and not be able to turn my head, a few needles in the back and I'm like an owl! Its worth trying. Usually costs £30 a session, but my sister in law is a doc practising acupuncture so I'm like a test dummy for her. Works great for me though..

[selectfutures]

Yes acupuncture is something I would like to try.

But I am very interested in these stretching hand straps, so if anyone has tried them please let me know. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

 

Musician Friend Recommends Carpal Tunnel Solution

[windfall]

I thought i was suffering with CTS, tingling hands etc in the morning, went to a proper sports physio and he said "bollocks the problems in the your back". I **** you not after an hour of pain with him working my spin inbetween my shoulder blades there was a huge improvement in the looseness in my arms. The next day i was sore and could feel where he had been working for a week actually but my elbows, arms and wrists were loads looser.

 

It took 3 hour sessions because other parts of me started to hurt as one part was fixed!

 

Each session costs £40 but its the best £40 i have ever spent!

 

My advice to everyone is dont self diagnose, go to a specialist and get checked out you may be surprised. I sure was. I know make regular visits once a month as there is always something achey! lol

[Tilia]

So what are the actual symptoms of CTS? How you do tell if similar sensations e.g. tingling hands are due to something different e.g. nerve damage or back problems?

 

And how old are people generally before they get diagnosed with CTS? Does it occur soon after using chainsaws and vibrating machinery?

[Nick B]

I had carpal tunnel as well used to wear wrist supports at night they kept the wrist straight and helped with the pins and needles.

Had an op on the right side took 5 - 6 weeks then back at work.

The left side stopped hurting day after the op this was 4 years ago no problem since.

[Rich2484]

So what are the actual symptoms of CTS? How you do tell if similar sensations e.g. tingling hands are due to something different e.g. nerve damage or back problems?

 

And how old are people generally before they get diagnosed with CTS? Does it occur soon after using chainsaws and vibrating machinery?

 

Your thinking of vibrating white finger, caused by using compactors or heavy drills, chainsaws can cause it but you have to work with one for a long time to get it and without gloves.

[treemeup]

i had about 6-9months of waking up in the night with one numb arm, sometimes both from the elbow down, not nice! it was after a bout of pollarding in the snow for a week or two a couple of years back. my doctor was very unhelpful "stop using a chainsaw", which i didn't, now i get the occasional numbness but no more than once every 2-3 weeks

[richyrich]

i get the numbness in thumbs and forefingers. its defo from vibration of machinery. had it worse a few years ago- it does come and go. recently bought a stihl fs90r strimmer with loop handle. advice- don't buy one- with todays technology they should not be selling gear like this!! i will be putting a saw attachment on it instead as it's too vibey as a strimmer.

you can get hands tested- they use electric shocks to test nerve impulses, etc