According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful, progressive condition caused by the compression of the median nerve, which passes through a tunnel shaped row of small bones in the wrist. An estimated 8 million people in the United States suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.  It commonly affects individuals, between the ages of 40 and 60, and women are three times more likely to develop it.

Joseph Sweere, DC, a professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University and chair of the University’s Department of Occupational Health, says, “Situations leading up to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome involve the posture of the hand, the force of one’s grip, repetition, vibration, and exposure to cold or hot temperatures.” Occupations most commonly linked with carpal tunnel syndrome are meat processing, food processing, assembly work, clerical work, tailors, carpet layers, dental hygienists, and musicians.

“A symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is night pain or numbness, which often awakens the patients during their sleep,” says Dr. Sweere.

Other symptoms include daytime pain; numbness; tingling; burning; discoloration; loss of grip-strength; swelling; incoordination; and, in later stages of the condition, loss of muscles in the affected hand and fingers.

Dr. Sweere offers these recommendations for workers most at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Avoid gripping hand tools too tightly, let the tool do the work;
• Wear shock absorbing gloves if cold or vibration is a factor;
• Choose tools that fit the hand(s);
• Avoid unnecessary bending, stooping, twisting, reaching and lifting;
• Alternate hands and tasks when possible;
• Use a good bed and mattress with a properly supporting pillow;
• Take frequent stretch breaks while working;
• Avoid stomach sleeping and sleeping with arms above shoulder level, and hands under the head, face or neck;
• Pay attention to lifestyle factors: wholesome diet, adequate water consumption, and avoid nicotine, excessive caffeine, and table salt;
• If the condition is advanced, sometime surgery becomesnecessary; and
• Immediately report any symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome to a health care provider. Chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy may offer significant benefits to those suffering from this debilitating condition.