The Simple Definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Articles | Ergonomics

By: Darren Williger

Constant stretching and pulling of the muscles and nerves of your wrists and your hands may lead to a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition is caused most often by motions which are repeated excessively such as typing motions. The pain that results is caused when the median nerve running from your forearm to your hand, gets squeezed or pressed at your wrist position. The nerve at this location is responsible for the sensations on the palm near your thumb and fingers. This is also the nerve responsible for impulses to certain muscles of the hand that allow the movement of certain parts of the fingers and thumbs.

Symptoms of the syndrome may start slowly and this slow start is always with the sensations of burning, tingling or itching numbness that affects your palms and fingers at night. Different areas such as the thumbs, middle and index fingers are the areas that tend to get afflicted more frequently. A worsening state of symptoms may lead to different things such as a tingling feeling or a reduction in the strength of your grip. More severe cases may mean the wasting of the muscles which can be found at the base of your thumb. Certain other people may lose the ability to distinguish between hot and cold sensations when their hands are placed on or in areas of extreme temperature.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by any form of injury or trauma to areas of the wrist. This sort of trauma usually causes swelling. The trauma itself may be brought about by fractures, sprains, stress at work or the frequent use if vibrating hand tools such as drills. The development of cysts and tumors in the carpal canal may also result in this ailment.

Carpal tunnel syndrome has a risk of occurring in different people with different sorts of jobs. However, the syndrome is much more common with people who work in industrial capacities. This means people who work in areas such as manufacturing assembly lines and other assembly related jobs such as sewing, meat, fish and poultry packaging jobs.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in a wide variety of ways and these ways include exercise and medications. In more extreme cases, surgery may also be required. The importance of prevention is always more important that whatever cure that can be achieved. Prevention can easily be achieved by using ergonomic office furniture, frequent stretching exercises, rest breaks and the use of splints that keep the wrists straight. Correct posture and wrist positioning also works as well.

Programs should be developed in ergonomics depending on the nature of the industry. Adapting a workplace to the needs and the abilities of workers goes a long way in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and a huge number of other ailments.