by: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT
Carpal tunnel syndrome reached epidemic proportions in the 90?s and has now achieved a status equaling pandemic proportions in the 21st century. With carpal tunnel syndrome having such devastating effects on millions of people each year, how do you know if you or someone you know has it?
With so much attention and hype the past 10-years concerning carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace, you would think that a clear-cut picture would exist regarding the ?how?s? ?why?s? and ?what is it?s? of carpal tunnel. Although carpal tunnel syndrome should be easily recognizable with such extensive media exposure, you would be amazed at how many people, including a lot of doctors, who do not recognize the symptoms or misdiagnose it as something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.
In order to provide a more clear picture of what carpal tunnel is, why and how it develops and what can be done to eliminate it, I have provided information below to explain the process so that you can better identify and therefore prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from taking over your life.
What is the Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a passageway in which the nine flexor tendons, median nerve, arteries, blood and lymphatic vessels pass through in order to supply function and movement to the fingers and wrist.
The carpal bones line the carpal tunnel on the posterior surface (backside) of the wrist with the transverse carpal ligament positioned on the anterior (front side) of the wrist. The size of the carpal tunnel is about the size of the index finger in diameter, and the flexor tendons, arteries and nerves glide past one another with ease in a carpal tunnel that has not decreased in size.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develop?
Because the finger and wrist muscles are constantly overused in one-way movement patterns, (Gripping, squeezing, typing, etc.) a "muscle imbalance" develops, causing the carpal bones to shift, in turn, making the carpal tunnel smaller and impinging the structures within, resulting in painful and debilitating symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
? Tingling
? Numbness
? Paresthesia (Pins & needles)
? Loss of grip-strength / coordination
Sensations involving tightness, discomfort, stiffness and pain on the front side of the hand and wrist may be present in carpal tunnel, but may also be symptoms of a general repetitive strain injury.
The only true telltale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome that you need to be aware of affect the thumb, index, middle and sometimes one-half of the ring finger. (All of the fingers and symptoms listed do not have to be experienced simultaneously for you to have carpal tunnel syndrome.)
If you have symptoms in your entire ring and/or little finger and your doctor tells you that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you don?t! The ULNAR nerve supplies function to the ring and little finger and has nothing to so with carpal tunnel syndrome. (If the ring and/or little fingers are affected, it may either be Cubital Tunnel Syndrome or Guyon?s Syndrome)
How Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Eliminated?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can quickly and easily be eliminated by performing a good stretch and exercise program that addresses the existing muscle imbalance that is the cause of carpal tunnel in most cases.
Staying Symptom-Free:
Knowing why carpal tunnel syndrome develops and what to look for is the key to keeping your hands healthy. With the information provided above you should now be able to recognize the disabling symptoms and take the steps necessary in order to stop it before it stops you!
About The Author
Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world. Balance Systems, Inc. http://www.repetitive-strain.com.
|
History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
by: Martin Smith
Charms are also known as amulets and pendants. They are as popular today as they have been throughout recorded history. Ancient Egyptians wore bracelets
with charms or amulets. They were used to protect against bad luck and evil forces. They began with religious symbols and became a part of everyday dressing.
Charms/jewelry were made of almost any material of value to people in their time. Many were made of precious metal. Others were made with gemstones inlaid in them or mounted with precious metals in the form of necklaces, crowns, staffs, and bracelets. Queen Victoria gets the credit for popularizing jewelry charms throughout Europe by wearing lockets or charms on her royal bracelets
America became enchante with Charms around the time frame of World War II. Soldiers returning from duty station brought with them various types of charms or pendants. Today popular charms...
History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
Gold ring > History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms
Music to Your Eyes: Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Rings
Music to Your Eyes: Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Rings
by: Taylor Henry
Sonny and Cher, Fred and Ginger, chocolate and peanut butter...some things are just meant to go together. And diamonds and sapphires are no exception. With so many choices, a diamond and sapphire engagement and wedding ring set can go down in your personal history with as much romance and excitement as Antony and Cleopatra...with a much happier ending, of course!
No need for the blues, with sapphires you can branch out into a variety of melodies. While sapphires are usually associated with the deep blue only a sapphire can exude, sapphires cover a large portion of the rainbow from purples to reds to oranges and yellows. Imagine the glitz and glitter of a brilliant white diamond surrounded by a sparkling ruby sapphire...there's something you'll enjoy looking at for years to come! And if you love the idea of a colored diamond, such as a pink or yellow, you can find the...
Music to Your Eyes: Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Rings
Gold ring > Music to Your Eyes: Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Rings
Turn Your Website into a Pot of Gold
Turn Your Website into a Pot of Gold
by: Rachel Lower
Out of 500 million web pages, is yours among the very few that visitors will remember?
Businesses are catching on as far as hiring professionals to design their websites.
A professional looking website does give visitors an immediate, positive impression.
However, no matter how well designed, a basic website does not leave a lasting impression.
Visitors won't forever recall your spiffy "Location" page or "About Us" section.
They won't even remember how polished your fiery red logo looks.
There is one important key to leaving an impression on website visitors and potential customers.
One way to go from "good website" to "awesome website, dude!" It will inspire a visitor to bookmark your site, link to you, or refer friends to your URL.
The key is to provide a rich and useful website.
The basic website is like a skeleton.
Gold ring > Turn Your Website into a Pot of Gold
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
by: Karon Thackston
If you've been in the copywriting realm for very long at all, you've heard the phrase "features vs. benefits."
It's a fundamental copywriting principle and driving force behind much of what we, as copywriters, create.
But there's also another aspect to this equation.
What happens after customers buy your product or service?
Once they've used what you have to offer, what will be different in their lives?
What will the end results, of their buying decision, be?
Getting your customers to look at the end results of their actions can be an extremely powerful persuasion tool that you'll want to incorporate into your copy.
Let's look at features, benefits and end results and see how all three work individually and collectively to create a targeted push to the point of purchase.
Features - The Basic Outline of Your Product or...
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
Gold ring > Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
Use Blogs and RSS Feeds to get your New Sites and Pages Indexed Fast!
Use Blogs and RSS Feeds to get your New Sites and Pages Indexed Fast!
by: Craig Desorcy
They say its a dog eat dog world out there.
Everyone is fighting for their right to lead the pack.
Cyberspace has it?s own virtual rendition of this cliche...search engine optimization.
Marketers around the globe are struggling to get their products at the top of search engine listings. They go to great lengths to produce material with high keyword density in an attempt to entice robotic spiders to visit their sites.
Robert was in over his head.
He?d posted projects on freelance websites hoping to hire writers to supply him with keyword dense content.
This was his fourth attempt.
Good writers were worth their weight in gold.
The only problem was that he didn?t have much of the gold stuff to throw around.
He?d taken a chance, and accepted the bid of someone he knew wasn?t top-quality,...
Gold ring > Use Blogs and RSS Feeds to get your New Sites and Pages Indexed Fast!
Colour & Cosmetics
Colour & Cosmetics
by: Jane Thurnell-Read
Many people avoid artificial colours in their foods, but don't check out the colours in cosmetics and personal care products. It is only in recent years that cosmetics have started to carry a full list of ingredients on their packaging.
Making sense of the ingredients can be difficult for the lay person. This is particularly true for colourings, which often go under the guise of numbers rather than names.
In...
Colour & Cosmetics Gold ring
Gold ring > Colour & Cosmetics
5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden
5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden
by: George Chapman
If you're lucky enough to have a lawn with a good topsoil base, much of the hard work of keeping a lawn beautiful is already done for you. But many of us do not have this luxury, and besides, even with a good topsoil base, you still have to work hard to keep a beautiful lawn and garden.
1. The best time to mow a lawn is when it is cool and dry. Wait for the morning dew to dry off, and before the afternoon...
hedge funds 5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden Gold ring
Gold ring > 5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden
Debt Consolidation
Debt Consolidation
by: Sara Chambers
For many Americans debt is an overwhelming problem, a stressor that can quickly take hold of one?s life. When there are bills attached to house, boat, automobiles, college tuition, and daycare, it?s not hard to imagine that many folks can quickly be swept under the current of spending which can unexpectedly whirl into deep debt. On top of necessary expenses, many consumers dig their debt rut even deeper when they rely on...
payday loans Gold ring Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It? Debt Consolidation
Gold ring > Debt Consolidation
Receiving Your Continuing Education Online
Receiving Your Continuing Education Online
by: Mark Woodcock
In order to get that promotion you?ve been working so hard for, it?s often necessary to receive some extra education and training. Or, if you are already successful in a profession such as Nursing or Pharmacy, you probably need to keep your credentials and certifications current. Your schedule might not permit attending continuing education courses and seminars out of town or during business hours....
Gold ring nursing courses Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It?
Gold ring > Receiving Your Continuing Education Online
payday loans Gold ring Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It? 
Dodge Magnum Changing Dodge?s Brand Image
Dodge Magnum Changing Dodge?s Brand Image
by: Sarah McBride
One of the brand names of automobiles and light to heavy duty trucks that is marketed by the German yet American-based company DaimlerChrysler AG is the Dodge. The Dodge was purchased by Daimler-Benz along with other Chrysler subsidiaries in 1998, and is now a part of the DaimlerChrysler company. As per last year, the Dodge brand has become popularly known for its production of its trucks which takes...
Gold ring Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It? Dodge Magnum Changing Dodge?s Brand Image trucks
Gold ring > Dodge Magnum Changing Dodge?s Brand Image