How to Relieve Carpal Tunnel During Pregnancy?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can add an unwanted note of discomfort during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related fluid retention and swelling can put pressure on the vulnerable median nerve in the wrist, resulting in this prevalent disease. Fortunately, there are a number of safe and efficient methods available to relieve carpal tunnel during pregnancy. Just keep reading!
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by stiffness, tingling, and discomfort in the thumb, fingers, and wrist. It’s basically a hand condition that happens when the median nerve, which passes through the carpal tunnel, a little opening in your wrist, is crushed. The small “carpal” bones and ligaments form the carpal tunnel, a tight tube. The nerve is squeezed when swelling narrows the tunnel. This causes the hand to hurt and the fingers to go numb or burn.
What is Pregnancy-Related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
During pregnancy, a common disease known as pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can cause numbness, tingling, discomfort, and occasionally weakness in the hands and wrists. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes and increased fluid retention, especially in the second and third trimesters, cause it. This extra fluid buildup in the wrist’s tiny carpal tunnel may compress the median nerve, which regulates feeling in the thumb, index, middle, and a portion of the ring finger.
Your ability to sleep and use your hands for daily duties like shampooing, buttoning, holding your toothbrush, and caring for your newborn might be affected by these mild to severe symptoms. This can sometimes result in hand weakness, making it difficult to hold objects or causing you to drop them.
Ways to Relieve Carpal Tunnel During Pregnancy
It is usually advised to undergo conservative therapy for up to three months in order to adequately control the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome associated with pregnancy. Here are a few ways to relieve carpal tunnel during pregnancy:
Wrist Splints
The use of wrist splints can significantly reduce discomfort by keeping your wrist or wrists from bending forward. Wearing these splints as much as possible, especially overnight, will yield the best effects.
Activity Modifications
Modifying your everyday routines to reduce wrist bending and strain on the carpal tunnel can significantly help manage your symptoms. Concentrate on maintaining a neutral, relaxed wrist posture as much as possible. Try not to sleep on the side where you have symptoms, and when you’re at rest, raise your arm with a pillow.
Exercise
You can further reduce discomfort by performing mild wrist stretches and exercises. As long as it doesn’t hurt, try lifting your hand above your heart level and then slowly opening and closing it to form a loose fist, five to ten times throughout the day.
Summing Up!
The carpal tunnel is common during pregnancy. Common treatments that often provide relief include activity modifications and splinting. Most moms get rid of this disease within a year after giving birth. If you are noticing signs of carpal tunnel, Rheumatology Care of North Houston can help you.
Schedule an appointment by contacting us online or calling us at (832) 532-9779.