| Finding an alternative remedy for carpal tunnel is a | | | | recommended.Wrist Braces and Splints: For those |
| tricky subject. With so many products, from | | | | in the earliest stages of carpal tunnel, when worn |
| vitamin concoctions to various squeeze balls, all | | | | at night, a wrist brace may be enough to regain |
| claiming to be successful treatments for carpal | | | | control of your carpal tunnel symptoms. Wrist |
| tunnel, how do you know where to begin?We do | | | | braces and splints are not effective in treating |
| know that surgery is the last resort for helping | | | | carpal tunnel syndrome for those with moderate |
| carpal tunnel sufferers. It is for those who have | | | | or severe symptoms, but can assist when used |
| tried everything else and failed. After surgery, | | | | at night. These devices are meant to keep the |
| your grip and hand function will never be the | | | | wrist from curling into a fist so that the wrist |
| same, no matter what exercises you perform or | | | | stays in a straight position in order to reduce |
| therapy you undertake, surgery has permanently | | | | impingement of the carpal tunnel. Be aware, |
| disabled a part of your hand that will never again | | | | studies have proven that wearing a wrist brace |
| be regained. Surgery also has a very low rate of | | | | too often will further weaken the extensor |
| success, considering that after 6 years, 90% of | | | | muscles and worsen your carpal tunnel.Massage: |
| patients are experiencing symptoms again. | | | | For many with mild symptoms, massage can |
| Therefore, there is high rate of patients who | | | | provide the necessary relief of carpal tunnel. For |
| undergo multiple carpal tunnel surgeries. During the | | | | those with moderate to severe carpal tunnel |
| first surgery, doctors cut the ligament, each | | | | symptoms, massage is often very helpful, but |
| surgery thereafter is to clear away scar tissue | | | | temporary. Massaging and stretching the stronger, |
| that has build up, creating the same pressure and | | | | shorter and tighter flexor muscles helps relax and |
| loss of space as the ligament was doing.Here are | | | | loosen the restriction around the carpal tunnel, |
| a few of the alternative options that seem to | | | | allowing for temporary relief. Once you have had |
| provide the best results and have the most clinical | | | | the flexor muscles massaged and stretched-out, it |
| backing.Creating Muscle Balance: Studies have | | | | is recommended you follow immediately with |
| shown that most people, even those with | | | | strengthening exercises for the opposing muscles, |
| moderate to severe carpal tunnel, can greatly | | | | which will ultimately hold the stretching and |
| reduce or completely relieve their symptoms by | | | | lengthening of the flexor muscles in |
| performing exercises that create balance within | | | | place.Ultrasound: Ultrasound tends to have its |
| their hand, wrist and forearm. Clinical research has | | | | highest rate of success when used in conjunction |
| proven that the overuse of the flexor muscles | | | | with a treatment program that includes |
| that close the hand, and under use of the | | | | soft-tissue work, stretching of the flexor muscle |
| extensor muscles, which open the hand, cause | | | | group, and the strengthening of the extensor |
| the hand to collapse in on itself, squeezing the | | | | muscle group. Ultrasound can help reduce |
| carpal tunnel, restricting space and initiating the | | | | inflammation in an acute case of tendonitis, carpal |
| cycle of pain, numbing and weakness. By simply | | | | tunnel syndrome, or other forms of injury.Always |
| strengthening the extensor muscles that cross | | | | consult a physician or healthcare professional |
| the finger, wrist and elbow joints, it has been | | | | before starting any type of exercise or |
| found, you can control or completely alleviate | | | | treatment program. Good Luck!Jeff P. Anliker, |
| your symptoms! NOTE: Squeezing and gripping | | | | LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic |
| devices have long been proven, time and again, to | | | | Exercise Products that are utilized by |
| worsen carpal tunnel! Only exercise of the | | | | Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities |
| extensor muscles that open the hand are | | | | around the world. |