I’m thankful that, despite my years of typing hunched over my desk, I have had tendonitis in my wrist over the years, but it has never developed into carpal tunnel syndrome. I have heard that it can be extraordinarily painful and never quite fully heals. To learn more from our expert about what causes CTS and how it can be avoided, read on…
Carpal tunnel syndrome
with advice from Susan Cupples, OTR/L, CHT, LAc
Carpal tunnel syndrome: It’s something we’ve all heard about, but do you know what it really is and what to do about it?
The carpal tunnel connects the underside of the wrist to the palm. It consists of several tendons and muscles, the median nerve, and a thick ligament which covers the entire area. When any of these tendons get irritated and swell, they place pressure on the median nerve, causing the pain known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can present in a variety of ways, says Susan Cupples, an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, who is the owner of El Cerrito and Oakland Hand Therapy and Acupuncture, a Physiquality network member in Northern California. According to Susan, any of the following symptoms could be signs of carpal tunnel syndrome: