Carpal Tunnel Exercises
January 1st 2009 10:47
While not really falling into the category of "weight loss" I have found that I need exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome. I first had this problem during my pregnancies. My hands would go numb - all pins and needles - especially during the night while I slept. I'd have a hard time each morning doing anything that involved my hands - typing, holding a pen or pencil, etc. Always, the problem went away after delivery. Now - at nearly full-term pregnancy weight, I am experiencing the problem again. I'm hopeful that as I lose the weight, the problem will go away, I am also finding that it is much more bothersome than it was in my younger years.
While the condition still occurs mostly at night and first thing in the morning, I have also found that it sometimes creeps up during the day. Especially when I spend extra time driving or typing. Luckily, however, I have found some good exercises that help.
From this website, I found some useful exercises (listed below).
1. Holding your arm straight down, bring your thumb and little finger together, and kind of squeeze them together (it may hurt just a little, but that shouldn't be a problem). Hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat with each of the other fingers. Repeat the exercise 5 times each day.
2. With arm stretched out in front of you, hand straight - bend hand up at wrist and hold for about 10 seconds. Return to original position, and bend hand down at wrist and hold for about 10 seconds. Return to original position. Make fist and repeat the exercise.
I found these at a different website (can't find the address at the moment) and they really help a lot.
1. Make a tight fist and hold for about 10 seconds. Open hand and flex fingers; hold for a bout 10 seconds. Repeat 2 or 3 times. (This one can be done while driving if you carpal tunnel syndrome is acting up.)
2. With either a fist or fingers straight, make circles with your hand (bending the wrist in a circular motion). (Can also be done while driving.)
3. Make a fist with the affected hand. Hold other hand palm up, and place fist in palm. Push with each hand. Switch hands - so that the palm is down and push up with the fist while resisting with the palm. Repeat 2 or 3 times.
I've noticed that when I do these exercises first thing in the morning, and just before bed, I don't have as much of a problem. Then when it does act up, I do them right away to keep it from getting any worse.
While the condition still occurs mostly at night and first thing in the morning, I have also found that it sometimes creeps up during the day. Especially when I spend extra time driving or typing. Luckily, however, I have found some good exercises that help.
From this website, I found some useful exercises (listed below).
1. Holding your arm straight down, bring your thumb and little finger together, and kind of squeeze them together (it may hurt just a little, but that shouldn't be a problem). Hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat with each of the other fingers. Repeat the exercise 5 times each day.
2. With arm stretched out in front of you, hand straight - bend hand up at wrist and hold for about 10 seconds. Return to original position, and bend hand down at wrist and hold for about 10 seconds. Return to original position. Make fist and repeat the exercise.
I found these at a different website (can't find the address at the moment) and they really help a lot.
1. Make a tight fist and hold for about 10 seconds. Open hand and flex fingers; hold for a bout 10 seconds. Repeat 2 or 3 times. (This one can be done while driving if you carpal tunnel syndrome is acting up.)
2. With either a fist or fingers straight, make circles with your hand (bending the wrist in a circular motion). (Can also be done while driving.)
3. Make a fist with the affected hand. Hold other hand palm up, and place fist in palm. Push with each hand. Switch hands - so that the palm is down and push up with the fist while resisting with the palm. Repeat 2 or 3 times.
I've noticed that when I do these exercises first thing in the morning, and just before bed, I don't have as much of a problem. Then when it does act up, I do them right away to keep it from getting any worse.
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