7 Ways to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Beacon NY
7 Ways to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If your work involves repetitive motions, such as assembling products or typing at a keyboard, you're more at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It's a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist that results in symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the leading causes of absenteeism on the job, and may cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and loss of wages. Women are three times more likely to get it, and having small wrists also heightens your risk.
However, work, gender, wrist size, or genetics do not guarantee that you'll fall victim to this neurological condition. Many health organizations maintain that it is possible to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Try these seven tips to keep your wrists healthy:
1. Choose ergonomic equipment. Ergonomically designed equipment and tools such as keyboards, computer mouses, and hand tools help to correct the alignment of your wrist when doing your job. To prevent carpal tunnel syndrome you should keep your wrists properly aligned to avoid compressing the median nerve--you shouldn't keep them bent upwards or downwards for prolonged periods.
2. Adjust your chair. If you work at a desk, position your chair so that your arms wrest on your desk at a right angle. This improves your posture, and prevents you from hunching your shoulders or bending your wrists as you work.
3. Take frequent breaks. Because repetitive motion is a primary cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, taking a few rest breaks throughout your work day will help to prevent it. Make it routine to take five-minute breaks every hour--and not just when you feel pain...
