Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It?
Carpal tunnel syndrome reached epidemic proportions in the 90's
and has now achieved a status equaling pandemic proportions in
the 21st century. With carpal tunnel syndrome having such
devastating effects on millions of people each year, how do you
know if you or someone you know has it?
With so much attention and hype the past 10-years concerning
carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace, you would think that a
clear-cut picture would exist regarding the "how's" "why's" and
"what is it's" of carpal tunnel. Although carpal tunnel syndrome
should be easily recognizable with such extensive media
exposure, you would be amazed at how many people, including a
lot of doctors, who do not recognize the symptoms or misdiagnose
it as something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.
In order to provide a more clear picture of what carpal tunnel
is, why and how it develops and what can be done to eliminate
it, I have provided information below to explain the process so
that you can better identify and therefore prevent carpal tunnel
syndrome from taking over your life.
What is the Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a passageway in which the nine flexor
tendons, median nerve, arteries, blood and lymphatic vessels
pass through in order to supply function and movement to the
fingers and wrist.
The carpal bones line the carpal tunnel on the posterior surface
(backside) of the wrist with the transverse carpal ligament
positioned on the anterior (front side) of the wrist. The size
of the carpal tunnel is about the size of the index finger in
diameter, and the flexor tendons, arteries and nerves glide past
one another with ease in a carpal tunnel that has not decreased
in size.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develop?
Because the finger and wrist muscles are constantly overused in
one-way movement patterns, (Gripping, squeezing, typing, etc.) a
"muscle imbalance" develops, causing the carpal bones to shift,
in turn, making the carpal tunnel smaller and impinging the
structures within, resulting in painful and debilitating
symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?