Every day, people use their hands to execute things. Some of these duties are painful because they are repeated. A number of occupations, including desk work with keyboarding, electrical work, construction, and others, can put you at risk for injury and suffering. Obesity, pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis are all risk factors.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Is a Condition That Affects
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by repeated wrist flexion or bending. This produces swelling and inflammation in the wrist’s carpal tunnel, putting pressure on the median nerve. Tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand, thumb, pointer finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger may be caused by increased pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve gives these digits sensory and motor function, affecting grip strength and manual dexterity. Muscle wasting near the base of the thumb might occur in severe situations. What to do for occupational therapy for carpal tunnel?
Before undergoing surgery, try these strategies.
You should attempt these non-surgical treatments before considering surgery for CTS:
- Reduce wrist flexion/bending by reducing repetitive tasks.
- Rest
- When you have active symptoms, ice your wrist for 10-15 minutes one to two times each hour.
- To treat pain symptoms, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
- To reduce spontaneous movements and positioning, sleep with a wrist splint in a neutral position.
- Consult your doctor about a corticosteroid injection if you’re experiencing pain.
- Occupational therapy is crucial following surgery.
If surgical intervention is the best option, it’s critical to seek post-operative occupational therapy to guarantee adequate healing and strengthening of the hand’s tissues. Many people suffer infections, nerve damage, stiffness, and soreness along with their surgical scars, which can make it difficult to use their hands if they don’t undergo occupational therapy. Occupational therapists can give the necessary training and tactics to aid in the recovery process.
Occupational therapists can help in the following ways:
- Controlling edema: Increasing active range of motion by reducing edema.
- Management of pain: Using modalities to reduce pain sensations and improve mobility.
- The maximum range of motion: Assisting with the hand’s functional range of motion.
- Re-education of the senses: Aiding in the treatment of scars that have grown sensitive and are affecting the use of the affected hand.
- Splinting: Applying splints to ensure appropriate healing while avoiding harm.
- Preventive education is a term used to describe a type of education that Assists with task adjustments that need repetitive wrist movements on a daily basis.
- Occupational therapists are critical in assisting people in returning to their everyday chores, whether it’s jobs or basic self-care.
Occupational Health Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What Are the Signs and Symptoms
Because the symptoms are so gradual, some people may not realize they’re at risk or have CTS. Tingling, burning, itching, and numbness are among the first symptoms mentioned, and they usually occur in one or both hands at night. In fact, most individuals sleep with their wrists flexed, and those who experience “pins and needles” may try to “shake away” the sensation. When our foot or leg is “asleep” or swollen from sitting in a pretzel-like position on the floor, we all know how it feels. To get occupational therapy near me. Contact essential home health care.
As the illness progresses, the person may experience increased tingling, decreased grip strength, and the inability to grasp an object or do various daily tasks. He or she may express the notion that his or her fingers are worthless. The muscle at the base of the thumb wastes away as the illness worsens, and the ability to discriminate hot from cold objects deteriorates.
OUR APPROACH
If at all possible, our Physical or Occupational Therapist will recommend that you adjust or cease the activities that are causing your problems when you start Essential Home Health services. Repetitive hand motions, heavy grabbing, holding onto vibrating objects, and working with your wrist bent down and out should all be avoided. If you smoke, speak with your doctor about options for quitting. If you are overweight, you should lose weight. Caffeine consumption should be reduced.
A wrist brace is frequently prescribed by our Essential home health therapist. In the early stages of CTS, this can help to alleviate symptoms. The wrist is kept in a resting posture using a brace, rather than being flexed back or down too far. The carpal tunnel is as big as it can be while the wrist is in this posture, giving the nerve as much room as possible inside. Because it prevents your hand from curling under as you sleep, a brace can be very useful for relieving numbness and pain at night. The wrist brace can also be worn during the day to relieve symptoms and allow the carpal tunnel tissues to rest.
Our treatment focuses on reducing or eliminating the source of pressure in the carpal tunnel. Our Occupational Therapist may examine your workplace and the manner in which you perform your duties. We may make recommendations for proper body alignment and wrist positions, as well as beneficial workouts and prevention advice. Treatments to decrease inflammation and encourage proper gliding of the tendons and median nerve within the carpal tunnel may also be started by joining our Essential home health organization.
Although the time it takes for each patient to recover is different, on average, you may expect to observe improvement in four to six weeks. To reduce symptoms and keep your wrist from curling under while you sleep, we may advise you to keep wearing your wrist splint at night. Make an effort to do your activities with proper body and wrist alignment. Limit tasks that necessitate repetitive motions, hard clutching, or hand vibration.
Essential Home Health Care Chicago provides occupational therapy in Chicago with the best care. Here you can read about occupational therapy exercises for stroke patients. To take more information about carpal tunnel therapy, you can call us at (847) 813 6301.