| Before we discuss carpal tunnel syndrome | | | | syndrome treatment must be applied |
| treatment it is first important to learn how this | | | | appropriately. We recommend applying cold |
| condition occurs. The carpal tunnel is a narrow | | | | therapy in 10 to 20 minute increments. Do not |
| passage of both bone and ligaments in your wrist. | | | | apply ice directly to the skin. This cannot only |
| The median nerve passes through this passage. | | | | cause pain and discomfort due to the cold, but |
| For most people there is never a problem with | | | | could eventually lead to damage. There are |
| this nerve passing through this small tunnel. | | | | numerous ways to avoid this direct contact. The |
| However, continuous wrist and hand movement | | | | most common technique is to use a towel to |
| puts stress on the tendons, and may even cause | | | | serve as both a container and a barrier. However, |
| them to swell. This swelling logically limits the | | | | this method does not treat the entire wrist, can |
| space in the tunnel and can eventually put | | | | be messy and will involve another hand or some |
| pressure on the median nerve. The pressure has | | | | bandage to hold it in place. Not a big deal, but it will |
| the undesired effects of numbness, pain and | | | | prevent you from accomplishing anything else, and |
| limited movement. There are many activities that | | | | may take more time if you decide to rotate the |
| contribute to these overuse injuries. | | | | ice around each side of the wrist. Fortunately, |
| Overuse injuries are very common in occupations | | | | companies have finally started to make sports |
| that include keyboarding, playing musical | | | | medicine cold pack therapy products just for this |
| instruments or even workers on an assemble line. | | | | condition. I recommend purchasing one of these |
| It is the repetition with the hand and wrist that | | | | ice wraps made especially for the wrist. They are |
| exposes oneself to this sort of inflammation and | | | | very inexpensive, often less than $25. |
| discomfort. The most common form manifests | | | | Custom ice wraps are extremely comfortable and |
| itself in the wrist. Additional symptoms include | | | | provide effective carpal tunnel syndrome |
| pain, weakness, burning, numbness or even tingling | | | | treatment. The concept is very simple. |
| in the hand. If you are experiencing any of these | | | | Manufacturers begin with gel ice packs. This gel is |
| feelings then you need carpal tunnel syndrome | | | | a special substance that freezes quickly and feels |
| treatment. The good news is that there is help | | | | comfortable when applied. The packs are then |
| that you can do from home as long as your pain | | | | sealed in plastic or rubber before being placed in a |
| and discomfort are only moderate. This moderate | | | | special material that is perfect for many physical |
| discomfort accounts for the vast majority of all | | | | therapy applications. Once such material is |
| cases. However, without a lifestyle change and | | | | neoprene, but there are others. Neoprene adds |
| any treatment your pain and mobility can | | | | the perfect amount of insulation and padding |
| progress to severe. For more severe cases you | | | | without preventing the cold pack therapy process |
| will need to consider surgery or even physical | | | | from working. Now you have a finished ice wrap |
| therapy treatment. | | | | that is a perfect carpal tunnel syndrome |
| For moderate cases cold pack therapy will provide | | | | treatment. They can be put right back into the |
| just the relief you need. Gel ice packs will not only | | | | freezer for multiple applications. The nice thing |
| lessen the pain they will also help reduce the | | | | about these ice wraps is that they may be used |
| swelling and pressure on the median nerve and | | | | over your clothes without creating a mess when |
| provide immediate, temporary relief around the | | | | the ice thaws. |
| wrist. Of course this form of carpal tunnel | | | | |