In the past few months, most Americans have spent more time in front of their computers than ever before. The recent pandemic has demanded us to work, learn and socialize on a virtual platform rather than face-to-face. Unfortunately, for those that suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, the extra hours on your laptop or smartphone can be excruciating.
Are you experiencing tingling in your hands, numbness, finger weakness or a loss of dexterity? These are symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. These symptoms that can also make working from home a real challenge, as typing on a computer can become very difficult under such circumstances.
What Is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive use. It involves the median nerve, which allows you to have feeling and movement of your thumb and fingers (excluding the pinky finger). This nerve passes through the “carpal tunnel” located on the underside of the wrist. Unfortunately, repeated movements of the hand, wrist and fingers can cause the ligaments and soft tissues to swell or become inflamed. Since they pass through the same tunnel as the median nerve, this can cause the nerve to become entrapped, pinched or compressed. When a nerve is limited in this way, it can result in numbness, tingling, pain and muscle weakness towards the extremity of which the nerve travels.
Why You Need to Act Fast?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition, which means if the early symptoms are not addressed, it can lead to severe discomfort and even irreversible muscle and nerve damage in extreme cases. To benefit from the most conservative treatment, it is important to talk to your physician about carpel tunnel syndrome sooner rather than later.
Early treatment involves targeting the swelling that is confiding the space of the carpal tunnel and putting pressure on your median nerve. Fortunately, this can often be done with non-surgical measures such as the following:
- Bracing
- Icing
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatories
It is not uncommon for patients to experience an ebb and flow of their carpal tunnel symptoms based on their activity levels. At CLEAR Immediate Care, we proudly treat a wide range of hand, wrist and elbow conditions, including carpal tunnel. We are keenly aware of the most effective non-surgical treatment modalities available for this type of medial nerve impingement. Don’t force yourself to type through the pain any longer, call our Chicago clinic today!