Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve in your wrist. There are several effective ways to prevent this, such as maintaining proper wrist position and practicing regular stretching.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that has several possible causes, including repetitive movements, injury, and posture issues. It can also be caused by a health condition that affects your joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
There are many ways you can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. And if you have carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of a health condition or an activity you cannot avoid, there are ways to prevent it from worsening.
Wrist splints and braces are supportive garments that
You can wear them during the day or at night to help you maintain proper wrist positioning. This can mean you don’t have to check in on your posture as much or realign your hands constantly while working.
If you’re concerned about developing carpal tunnel syndrome, you may want to try performing wrist exercises. By strengthening your wrists, these exercises may reduce your likelihood of developing symptoms or help prevent existing symptoms from worsening.
A healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, can provide exercises suited to your individual needs and instructions on how to do them without worsening your symptoms or creating new ones.
These exercises may include wrist curls, grip practice, and finger stretches.
Some health conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, may increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ergonomics is the study of people in their working environment. It can be used to assess workers’ needs and ensure that the workplace is designed and set up in a way that promotes efficiency and comfort.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that ergonomics should fit a job to a person, which can help reduce muscle fatigue and improve posture.
A wide variety of ergonomic equipment and tools can help with wrist support, such as:
- an ergonomic office chair, which is designed to support your natural posture and can help ensure proper positioning of your arms and wrists
- an ergonomic keyboard and mouse to help you avoid over-flexing your wrists
- a wrist brace to provide additional support
- a wrist rest, which can act as a cushion for your wrist and promote proper alignment and posture
One of the main reasons people develop carpal tunnel syndrome is because their wrists are not getting enough support. This can be an issue for people who work with their hands and have no choice but to flex and strain their wrists constantly.
In a small 2023 study with 18 participants, carpal tunnel syndrome was most common among people whose roles required manual work, such as:
- hotel workers
- caterers
- cleaners
- shop assistants
- hairdressers
The researchers also noted several strategies that may help people maintain wrist support when completing manual work, including:
- carrying less weight when possible
- lifting lighter items when possible
- working more slowly but efficiently
- using a wrist bandage to limit flexion
It’s important to take regular breaks when working to avoid straining your wrists. This is particularly important during repetitive tasks, such as typing. While breaks may not always be possible due to the nature of your job, it can still be helpful to change the position of your wrists every so often to reduce the chance of stiffness.
Taking breaks or changing positions can also help you avoid an injury due to overexertion, such as a wrist sprain.
Can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented through careful adjustments to your routine and the addition of supportive tools and devices such as ergonomic equipment.
What triggers carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be triggered by repetitive movements such as constantly flexing or stretching your wrists.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve in your wrist.
One of the main causes of carpal tunnel syndrome is inadequate wrist support. This can be an issue for people who use their hands to work and need to flex and strain their wrists constantly.
You can try several strategies to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from occurring or worsening, such as wearing wrist splints, making adjustments to your work environment, and treating any underlying health conditions.
If you’re concerned about developing carpal tunnel syndrome, consider consulting a healthcare professional. They can talk with you about your routine and offer suggestions for how to maintain proper wrist support.