Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the median nerve in your wrist. The median nerve passes through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. When this nerve is under too much pressure, it can lead to symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand and fingers.

What causes it?

Anything that causes swelling or irritation in the wrist can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This can include:

• Repetitive strain injuries
• Arthritis
• Sprains
• Broken wrist bones (fractures)
• Ganglion cysts

You may also be at higher risk if you engage in repetitive hand and wrist motions at work, such as swinging a hammer, or if you use vibrating power tools like drills. Other factors that can increase your risk include being over 40 years old, being a woman, or being pregnant. The condition can also be hereditary. Certain health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and obesity can also increase your risk.

Signs and symptoms

Common Symptoms

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually develop slowly. At first, you might experience minor issues that worsen over time. The most common symptoms are:

• Numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers, especially the fingertips
• Pain in your wrist, hand, or fingers
• Difficulty using your hands to hold or control objects, such as a phone, pen, or steering wheel

You may also experience a reduced sensitivity to external stimuli, reduced hand dexterity, and gradual difficulty with daily tasks.

Anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but some people are more likely to, including:

  People who do repetitive motions with their hands and wrists for work (swinging a hammer, for example)

    People who use power tools that vibrate (like drills or jackhammers)

·         Pregnant women

·         Women

·         Adults over the age of 40

    People whose biological relatives have carpal tunnel syndrome (it can be hereditary, or passed through generations in families)

Having certain health conditions can increase your carpal tunnel syndrome risk, including:

·         Rheumatoid arthritis

·         Gout

·         Hypothyroidism

·         Diabetes

·         Obesity

·         Amyloidosis

How to manage carpal tunnel syndrome?

The most common carpal tunnel treatments include modifying your daily routine, supporting and strengthening your wrist and taking medication:

·         Wearing a splint (especially at night): A splint will hold your wrist in a neutral position to take pressure off your median nerve.

·         Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you strengthen muscles around your wrist and increase your flexibility.

·         Changing your posture or working environment: An occupational therapist can suggest ways to modify how you do everyday tasks to move safely and more comfortably. You might need to change how you sit or stand, how you position your keyboard or make other posture tweaks.

An Ayurvedic Perspective

In Ayurveda, carpal tunnel syndrome can be compared to a dysfunction of Vata, the factor that governs peripheral nerve activity. This can first manifest as numbness in the hands, followed by an increase in Vata, which shows up as pain and muscle weakness or wasting in the hand region.

Ayurvedic treatment protocols are tailored to the individual and can include various methods such as Oil Massage, Local Steam application (Kizhi), Medicated Bandaging, and Marma Therapy.

Dr. Sayyed Mohammed Nadirsha

Medical Officer

Dr. P. Alikutty’s Ayurveda and Modern Hospital - Kottakkal

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