Every Web user who bangs away on the keyboard dreads it: the painful tingling in the wrists that can signal carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). But before jumping to any conclusions about what ails you, see your doctor: the cause may not be repetitive typing after all, a new study suggests.

New research shows that of almost 300 people who had been diagnosed with work-related carpal tunnel syndrome, one-third had other conditions such as obesity, thyroid problems or diabetes that could have caused their arm and wrist pain. And two-thirds of the cases would have been missed by a doctor who used the typical patient history to diagnose them. Systemic diseases have also been determined to cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Menopause, osteoarthritis, or late trimester pregnancy can all be contributing factors.

Problems in the neck (subluxations) can also cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or a loss of strength in the hands. The major nerve controlling the thumb, index, and parts of the middle and ring finger is called the median nerve. From the tip of your fingers, it travels through the bones in your wrist, past your elbow, up your arm, through your shoulder and neck, and finally to your spinal cord. Problems can develop in one or more of these areas.

Most commonly however is the physical demands placed on the wrist structures. Every day, assembly line workers, keyboard operators, grocery store clerks, and many others, receive micro-traumas to their hands and wrists. Vibration and repetitive motions, when combined with spinal problems and other joint dysfunction, can result in CTS.

Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome now accounts for more than 41% of all repetitive motion disorders in the United States, according to data cited in the study. In 1992, the most recent year for which statistics were available, there were nearly 90,000 cases of repetitive stress syndrome that resulted in lost work time. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is two to five times more common in women than men.

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually begins as a feeling of pins and needles on the palm side of the hand. Soon, the affected area may become numb; tingling, burning and aching can develop and spread to the forearm or shoulder. The hand may begin to feel swollen, even though it is not. The phantom pain can be so intense that it can awaken one at night.

The carpal "tunnel" itself is formed by bones in the wrist known as the carpals.  The median nerve, tendons, and blood vessels pass through this small opening. If one or more of the carpals this tunnel should "collapse," inflammation, nerve pressure, and painful symptoms can result.

Gentle chiropractic adjustments of the wrist and neck can relieve pressure on the median nerve, reducing symptoms in the affected area. And unlike surgery, which leaves permanent changes in the wrist, chiropractic care permits a person to heal naturally. At least three studies have shown that chiropractic improves pain, nerve functioning and finger sensitivity, as well as physical and mental distress in patients with CTS. Other studies have shown improvement in wrist inflammation with dietary and exercise changes. These studies' subjects reported pain relief as long as six months after care. Even more impressive, MRI of the carpal tunnel done before and after manipulation showed physical relief of compression. A chiropractor can recommend a program of adjustments, vitamin supplements and exercise which can put you on the road of recovery.

HEALTHY COMPUTER TIPS:

In the meantime, David Rempel, director of the Ergonomics Program at the University of California, San Francisco, offers several steps you can take to ensure healthy computer use. Among them:

• Arrange your working area so that you can work in a natural and relaxed posture. For example you’ll want your phone and mouse within easy reach.
• Adjust your keyboard and monitor to the proper height by lowering the table or raising the seat of your chair.
  In general, adjust your chair first, your keyboard and mouse second, and your monitor and print material third.
• To promote good posture, vary your position in the chair — and even stand up from time to time.
   “Adjust the height of the chair so that your feet are firmly on the floor but not so low that your weight is not evenly distributed over the full seat surface,” Rempel says.
•  Leave adequate space between the top of your thighs and the underside of your workstation.

For more tips, visit Rempel’s Web site.    

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