• Do you suffer with weak grip or difficulty carrying bags?
• Do your hands fall asleep at night?
• Do your hands and fingers tingle when holding your phone to your ear?

If so, you may be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Typing on a computer keyboard is probably the most common cause of carpal tunnel.

ANATOMY

The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not your little finger).

SYMPTOMS

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand. Some people may have pain in their arm between their hand and their elbow. Symptoms most often occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. You may first notice symptoms at night. You may be able to get relief by shaking your hand.

CAUSES

Many times it can result from repetitive movements of the hand and wrist making the same hand movements over and over, especially if the wrist is bent down (your hands lower than your wrists).