Carpal tunnel - JP Fitness Forums

Gradstudent78 · 07-23-2006, 12:25 PM

Hey I had carpal tunnel a few years back and it subsided fairly significantly, but recently it feels like it may be coming back in one of my hands. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks

John Izzo · 07-23-2006, 01:48 PM

Stay off the computer.

Ronrat7 · 07-23-2006, 03:50 PM

I have tons of suggestions. Would require a little more info though. I mean I can give you the whole spiel on what causes it, what nerve it is, therapruyic exercises that address it, etc. But what did you do before, that caused it? Was it diagnosed a physician? Did you go to therapy? Did you just lay of what you thought was causing it (repetitive trauma, gripping, vibration, etc). Does it cause numbness/tingling in the morning when you awaken? Is it intermittent? If so, what activities precede it?

Sorry, hard to help with limited information.

As a side note...I'm a few weeks from taking my reg exam to be an OTR. One of my clinical sites was 8 weeks in a hand therapy clinic. I don't propose to know all, but have learned a great deal on the subject and have some experience.

R

Ronrat7 · 07-23-2006, 04:05 PM

Apologies for the typos, but I was in a rush. Hope you can decipher.

R

Gradstudent78 · 07-23-2006, 07:19 PM

What brought it on originally was digging meter deep holes in below freezing temperatures. I was diagnosed by a doctor, took some time off, didn't get any therapy (only insurance I had was under workman's comp), did some stretching of my own and symptoms pretty much went away, except for some sensitivity to cold. I've been out of the country for the past year and half and my hands felt really good during that time and I started working out again. I came back started go to the gym and everything has been fine up until a couple weeks ago, when I started to get some hand pain that comes and goes. I'm not sure how much the working out is aggrivating it, but the computer use really isn't helping, but I've been cutting back. No real problems in the morning or at night. Thats pretty much it.

Ronrat7 · 07-24-2006, 11:24 AM

This recent onset...is there pain or numbness/tingling? Is it noticable in the thumb, index, middle, and part of ring finger (side closest to middle finger)?

Here's a link on how to perform the Phalen's Test:
http://courses.washington.edu/hubio5...ry/phalen.html

If there's more pain than numbness/tingling (unless it's a burning pain), it may have nothing to do with nerve impingement. If you're just getting back to the weights, it could just be soreness from over gripping, the knurling on the bars, etc.

If it is CTS, there are some nerve glide exercises you can perform that may help. Keep me posted.

Doing this stuff online is not as easy as you'd think. Bill H. must go nuts sometimes.

Ron

Bill Hartman · 07-24-2006, 01:58 PM

Median nerve entrapment can occur in a number of places and reproduce symptoms of CTS. If a regular doc gave you your CTS diagnosis, you may not have CTS.

Go here: http://www.iaom-us.com/archive/newsl...3/n13-appl.htm

And do the mobilizations related to the median nerve.

Bill

managemysite · 07-24-2006, 07:29 PM

also try a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help

Lost Dog · 07-24-2006, 07:46 PM

I was diagnose the CTS and Ulnar Nueropathy, a few years back. Splint never helped and I didn't want surgery unless it was absolutely necessary. Bill has showed me the flossing and stretching and it's helped tremendously!

Mine is not computer related, but from years of mountain bike riding with a deathgrip on the bar with too much pressure on a bent wrist!

bryanc · 07-26-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by managemysite

also try a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help

Sorry, I couldn't help but notice this comment. Why? Why would you take glucosamine and chondroitin for median nerve entrapement? I don't mean to jump on this like a fat kid on a smartie, but for chrissakes, G&C is not a panacea for all musculoskeletal injuries.

Jean-Paul · 07-27-2006, 06:01 PM

I was waiting for someone to jump on this one.

I actually have doubts that there is any benefit at all to orally ingested G & C. Anecdotally I can say that it has never helped any of my past injuries.

Sorry for the hijack. I could start a new thread if there is any interest in pursuing this topic.