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