Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is something to watch out for if you are experiencing pain, weakness or numbness in your hands. Where your bones all pass through/connect at your wrist, there is a tunnel (the carpal tunnel) that nerves and tendons pass through. When the tissue surrounding those nerves and tendons gets inflamed, it can cause numbness and tingling sensations in your wrist and hand – along with the weakness and pain.
Genetics, repetitive stress, and diabetes are just some of the risk factors for people who may experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Early diagnosis is key to treating it and preventing it from getting worse. It may require adjusting activities that trigger it, wearing a splint, and/or doing exercises for it a couple times a day.
Here are a couple stretches and exercises you can try to treat your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at home:
Spider Push Ups for CTS
- Start with your hands together in prayer position.
- Spread fingers apart as far you can, then “steeple” the fingers by separating palms of hands, but keeping fingers together.
CTS Mummy stretch
- Place one arm straight out in front of you, elbow straight, with your wrist extended and fingers facing the floor.
- Spread your fingers slightly and use your other hand to apply gentle pressure to the downward-facing hand, stretching your wrist and fingers as far as you’re able.
- When you reach your maximum point of flexibility, hold this position for about 20 seconds.
- Switch hands and repeat.
Shake ‘em out
- It’s as easy as it sounds! Just shake your hands like you are air drying your hands.
In some cases, pregnancy can bring on temporary CTS. This is mainly due to the growing fetus pressing on certain nerves in the body. This creates the numbing feeling through the wrist and into the fingers. In most cases, the symptoms disappear once the baby is born.
If you’re suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and are finding these exercises aren’t providing you with relief, we’d be happy to put together a custom program.