Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is becoming more common thanks to the extensive use of computers and poor body mechanics. Remember you want your elbow at a 90-degree angle when you are typing and for your hands to be perfectly flat over the keyboard, no extension or flexion of the wrist!

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

• Compression of the median nerve between the carpal ligament and other structures within the carpal tunnel
• Entrapment of nerve results in pain or tingling

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Repetitive motion, specifically typing at a bad angle
• Improper desk posture

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms

• Burning, aching, tingling pain in the hand  and wrist starting from the middle of the 4th finger towards the thumb
• Pain can radiate to the forearm
• “Acroparesthesia” –  awakening at night with numbness
• Positive Tinel’s test: tapping the medial nerve results in pain and burning
• Positive Phalen’s maneuver: placing the hands together upside down with the outer side of the hand and wrist touching