Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may be caused from Work
It has emerged that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of those ailments that are hard to determine if the symptoms were brought on a person's job or if it was a pre-existing condition.
If the condition was there prior to employment, certain jobs can in fact aggravate the symptoms that were not there prior to working.
If you are trying to receive worker's compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) you may find that in the state you in will require that you prove your employment actually caused CTS while other states are a bit more lenient.
The company itself may have problems trying to prove you had carpal tunnel symptoms prior to your employment due to privacy laws regarding medical records.
Many times, they must rely on the individual to tell the truth. As the case comes to court, the judge must rely on the information presented by surgeons, doctors, and EMG/NCS tests.
However, if you did not have an EMG/NCS test prior to working the tests will not have another test to compare with to learn if this was a pre-existing condition. The best way to ensure that you will be protected in the future is to have this type of done performed prior to any type of employment.
Home Treatments
There are some home remedies or treatments that you can try to help alleviate symptoms. Here are some ideas you may find beneficial.
You can apply a cold pack to your wrist to help reduce swelling. It is also a good idea to avoid activities that could tend to make your symptoms worse. A good piece of advice is to take frequent breaks during any activity that requires any flexing of the wrists to rest your hands.
You should also avoid sleeping on your hands if you have a tendency to do so, especially with your wrists bent.
Hand Therapies
Your doctor could refer you to a hand therapist that will act as a conservative treatment or to help during recovery from surgery. The therapist may spend some time to teach you how to perform nerve gliding and tendon gliding exercises.
These exercises involve hand motions that are aimed at allowing the nerves and tendons to slide smoothly through the carpal tunnel. The hand therapist may also make use of iontophoresis to administer certain steroids through the skin. Another technique uses therapeutic ultrasound that may also help to decrease pain and numbness.
Complementary Therapies
There are some complimentary therapy techniques that can help in this area. These include:
Yoga
Yoga can help to strengthen your upper body and improve your hand grip strength. the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has noted yoga as being helpful. However, there are no controlled studies in the past 20 years to support using yoga.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture was supported as an additional or alternative therapy by a consensus statement by the NIH in 1997. A variety of studies have failed to show conclusive evidence that this is effective.
Additionally, alternative therapy practitioners may perform needle acupuncture, acupressure or laser acupuncture. Low-level laser therapy may be performed along the median nerve instead of at acupuncture sites. Any evidence of the effectiveness of this treatment is likewise mixed.
Magnetic Field Therapy
Magnetic field therapy has also been attempted in a few studies. However, the most recent one showed no effect.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is another technique that can be used. It may include manipulation of the body joints and soft tissues of the arms and spine, as well as, ultrasound over the carpal tunnel, trigger point therapy and general conservative care of night-time wrist supports.
Chiropractic care can actually be helpful in helping to alleviate ongoing issues originating from the neck and shoulders in addition to the wrist.
Finally
Vitamin B6 has been suggested as a supplement that can help with pain relief. Other supplements may provide some additional help, although you should discuss any supplements with your doctor, in case they are not appropriate for your individual condition or circumstances.
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