Whether it’s typing on a keyboard or assembling parts on a factory floor, anyone who performs a lot of repetitive tasks with their hands is at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
The condition – named for the space in your wrist in which the median nerve resides – usually first reveals itself through numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers. As pressure on the nerve worsens, it could cause weakness and pain in your fingers and wrists.
The only way to know for sure if those symptoms are from carpal tunnel is to have it confirmed by a doctor, said Mike Chitwood, a certified ergonomics assessment specialist with the St. Elizabeth Business Health Center.
“What they do is make sure that that is the true diagnosis, because there could be a lot of different reasons why we have those kinds of symptoms, and it’s not always carpal tunnel,” Chitwood said.
A person’s work activities can lead to carpal tunnel. Highly repetitive motions performed in uncomfortable or stressful positions can often lead to carpal tunnel developing, Chitwood explained.
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, there are things you can do that might help slow its progression.
“It can be simple things like stretching throughout the day,” Chitwood said. “Getting in and out of stagnant or static postures, if you’re in pure data entry.”
For workers who have highly repetitive tasks, Chitwood recommends teamwork. By rotating through different jobs throughout the day, the prolonged stress on your wrists and fingers can be alleviated.
As for office workers, there are a few other tips. Gel wrist rests can be helpful for typists, as can making sure that your workspace is ergonomically optimized.
“The main thing is that you just want to make sure that you’re in good, neutral positions,” Chitwood said. “Get up. Move around. Do some periodic stretching.”
But if you think you have a serious case of carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s always best to consult with a physician. A nerve conduction test will confirm whether or not carpal tunnel is the culprit behind tingling and numbness in your fingers.
