Hi, this is my first time for all of this but I have been monitoring the site for a few weeks now.

I have had carpal tunnel in both wrists for about 10 years now (if I am honest to myself). I had surgery in the right wrist about 6 years ago, which relieved the worst symptoms but didn't cure it. I still suffer a lot during the bad spells. I have had tests to see if there is any nerve damage and luckily there isn't - yet. I am a 29 year old PA who is trying to continue with her career but worries that she won't be able to in the future.

On bad days I get bad shooting pains down the fingers, the hands go numb during the night and they become very week. This does go away when I am careful and rest them - but that is never easy.

I have started investigating this ART in the UK but wondered if anyone had any other suggestions. I also wondered if there was anyone else out there who has suffered this long?

Anne

Anne,

You are in a difficult situation and at a young age.
I have found relief by moving the mouse to my left hand. I also still suffer from the pain and occasional numbness in my right hand. I hope your company will support you. There are numerous software packages that you can speak into and lower your keyboard to where your hands are below your elbows. Years ago, employers were more careful of the workload they would place upon an individual. Read Bamabrneyes2, you'll see my comments, and make sure you are not performing more work than your coworkers. If you are, address this problem with your HR department. It sounds to me like you are re-injuring your hands. I have re-occuring pain in my finger/hands when I do manual labor (lifting, heavy grasping of objects etc.) In my previous work situation, I was required to perform these additional duties because the operational staff were lazy. I have worked for large shops where programer's do not do this type of work because of carpal tunnel. You can wear your hand splints. If you are coding more than 6 or 7 hours a day, this is TOO much. Don't do it, fake it(I know this hard, for it sounds like enjoy your job). In Georgia (USA)there are a lot of instances of carpal tunnel among the people cutting/processing chicken (number 1 export). This is because they are being forced to do this labor for 8/9 10 hours a day. Too people that don't suffer from carpal tunnel, I tell them to go and manually open/close (up and down) their garage door all day, see how it feels and the damage it can do. Most people get the point. I don't believe the typing is doing the injury, its got to be something else or a combination. Let us know what's happening.

Hi there

Thank you for your reply. Life is very different in the UK and taking it easy is not an option in my role, I would get sacked after about a year if they thought I was not performing up to my standard. They also don't care if my workload is larger than other PAs, that is the way is goes ( I just wish the salary matched it!). I am very lucky in the fact that my manager worries and would understand if I told that I couldn't manage something. I haven't had to as yet.

As I mentioned, I am looking for other options, perhaps exercises, alternatives therapies, anything! I was ready that the whole persons fitness and stress levels affect it, so I start the Yoga classes in a few weeks. Does anyone else have any suggestions? My father has always thought that weight plays are large part. I am not obese but definately a larger lady.

Yours hopefully

Anne

Dear 'Anne4-UK',
Check out the books by Dr John Sarno Professor of Rehabilation at the Rusk Insitute at the University of New York Medical School. He thinks that CTS is a version of 'Tension Mytosis Symdrome-TMS.'
He is the author of :"The Mindbody Perscription."
Also, the book by Arron Mattes: "Stretching the Mattes Method." He is the originator of AIS-Active Isolated Stretching.
This book gives give specific stretches for your problem of CTS.
Also at this board in a reply to Lee-Ann. I posted a page of exercises that will help.
The secret is quick unique stretches of the fingers and wrist. Almost all PTs and MDs want the stretches to be 3-15 seconds. This makes things worse. Also it is very important NOT to repeat the same stretch for at least 5 seconds or so. Stretch the fingers one after the other then the wrist back and forth. Do it playfully as you breath easy and listen to some happy tunes.
Also take long 'hands free' walks swinging your arms as you go. Be sure the arm that goes forward is of the opposite side of the leg that goes forward. (left arm and right leg forward together) If you stretch your hands as indicated and take a walk while thinking of freedom and grace and all the really wonderful choices you have when you take charge of your life. You will be shocked at how much better your hands will feel after you swing your arms free (do not carry anything in your arms or on your shoulders) for one half hour or more.
Rememeber the body heals itself.
The body never heal unless the body itself does the healing! And the heling force heals best when someone is relaxed, loving and grateful.
Also, as often as you can settle into breathing with your belly, the emotions will be freed up and you will realize that your brain has been sending the panic messages to your arms -this causes the tension that just gets worse with attention and does a 'go to loop' with anxiety compounding the tension with every effort to help the hands.
So, forget about your hands during your pleasant walk.
Be grateful to life and IT and you will heal youself.
I hope this is helpful,
Lamarsky

[This message has been edited by lamarsky (edited 08-16-2001).]

Dear Anne,
I find it remarkable that so many people have had surgery and still have CTS.
The 'medical fix' for Shoulder Outlet Sydrome (called TOS-Thoracic Outlet) is to remove the first rib.
Of course this does not help. They might not have nerve impingement but a lot of the muscles that turn the head and the nerves that control them are floating around in the neck with nothing to attatch to.
Eventually, the patients learn to stop complaining since they come to realize that they only have a finite number of body parts to have cut on or removed.
Craniosacral Therapy can help, too.
All the Best,
Lamarsky

[This message has been edited by lamarsky (edited 08-16-2001).]

Sorry for not replying sooner, thank you all for your suggestions and support. I have found over the past few weeks that being more relaxed and rested does help and I have even started yoga to help.

Reading some of the other messages, I am a lot better off than I thought.

Thank you.

Anne