If you've ever experienced numbness or tingling in your arms or hands that's persisted for several months, or has started to get worse with time, then you could be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition can happen when you pinch or damage a nerve in your wrist. In many cases, this problem can happen as a result of many typical everyday activities, such as playing a musical instrument or engaging in manual labor. If you experience mild cases of this syndrome, you might be able to reduce your symptoms with lifestyle changes with the following 9 home remedies to get rid of carpal tunnel syndrome.
1. Take Breaks
The first tip in our list of 9 home remedies to get rid of carpal tunnel syndrome includes taking regular breaks. Whether you're playing guitar, using a drill, or simply typing for long periods of time, you should try setting a timer that reminds you to stop working for a few seconds every fifteen minutes. During that time, you should move your wrists, stretch your hands, and improve blood flow to those areas.
2. Wear Splints
Keeping your wrists as straight as possible by using splints can help you to relieve some of the pressure around the median nerve. The symptoms of this condition are more common at night, so you may find that wearing a splint can reduce your symptoms before they begin. If you have problems with repetitive tasks at work, you should probably wear splints during the day too.
3. Lighten the Load
If you find that you're straining or forcing tasks such as typing or writing, try to relax your grip and stop using so much force. This can limit the pressure around your wrists that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. Be Careful with Flexion
Another good idea on our list of 9 home remedies to get rid of carpal tunnel syndrome is to avoid activities that cause you to flex your wrists to an extreme level in either direction. Consider keeping your wrists as neutral as you can.
5. Stay Warm
Keeping your hands as warm as possible can help to reduce stiffness and pain. You might want to wear fingerless gloves or using hand warmers.
6. Stretch
It's possible to use quick wrist exercises that will help you to keep your wrists healthy at work and throughout the day. For instance, you can simply make a fist and then stretch out your fingers until they're straight again to release pressure on your wrists.
7. Elevate Your Hands
This solution is particularly good for people who have developed the condition because of pregnancy, or issues with fluid retention. Lift your wrists and hands whenever you can.
8. Use Over the Counter Meds
Medication that can be accessed over the counter to relieve pain might be useful for people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. These solutions can limit pain and also reduce the amount of inflammation around the nerve.
9. Use Topical Relief
Finally on our list of 9 home remedies to get rid of carpal tunnel syndrome, it's worth considering trying topical menthol or other relief creams that can reduce the amount of inflammation and pain in your wrists.