Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a threat to your bodybuilding regime, as it causes pain, tingling, and loss of strength that will hinder your training. It is caused by compression of the nerve connecting the hand to the central nervous system through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Here, the median nerve passes through a small gap in the bones and tendons of the hand and wrist.
Incorrect form while doing exercise routines can result in damage to the nerve going through the carpal tunnel. If you grip the bar or weight too tightly you cause the tendons to swell and put pressure on the nerve, which gives you the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Aching in your forearms and hands may be the first symptoms you notice. Perhaps you’ll be awakened during your night time rest by numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers. (The little finger will not exhibit symptoms, since it is not controlled by the median nerve.) Those symptoms may slowly increase in the daytime, along with a decline in the strength of your grip. Pain and tingling may take up permanent residence, and you may observe weakness and a lack of control in the hands.
They are dedicated to enabling athletes to conquer injuries and offer helpful forums for health-related issues. The forum they provide on preventing and recovering from injury is the perfect site to share your worries about carpal tunnel syndrome.
But, anyone who has implications of Repetitive Strain Injury or carpal tunnel syndrome should be sure to check with their physician to talk about treatments that are available and to help avoid the progression of the disease. Holding back on some of the activities that lead to the RSI’s can cut down on these symptoms. Also, increasing flexibility by flexing the hands and wrists, together with applying ice to the wrists, can help reduce the symptoms. The ice should be applied for from fifteen to twenty minutes and repeated two or three times each day. This should help to let the pain or swelling subside.
You may be prescribed medication such as ibuprofen or another NSAID, which will help reduce the pain and inflammation. A corticosteroid injection in the wrist may be necessary in extreme cases. A splint may be used to support the hand and wrist, and prevent extreme movement, which could make the condition worse. This splint may be worn overnight to help prevent pressure being placed on the wrist due to your sleeping position. In some rare cases, surgery may be required in order to repair and release the nerve compression. If all else fails, this may be the best way to ease the pain and prevent further irreparable damage to your hand.
- Frank Barnett