Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Wrist Braces

Are you wondering whether to use a splint or wrist brace for your carpal tunnel symptoms?

When we break a bone, it often needs to be splinted to prevent movement so the bone can heal.  That works very well for bones.  It’s what they need.  And it can help it feel so much better!

However, muscles are not like bones.

Muscles need to move.

Muscle movement keeps your fluids–blood and lymph–moving.  When your body fluids move, they transport metabolic (body) wastes away from your wrist.  Your body fluids also supply healing nutrients to your tissues, so when they are moving, your carpal tunnel benefits.

A tight brace, or bracelet or watch band, will prevent nutrients from getting into your hand and wrist area.  Not good.

And, if you use a brace, other muscles will try to take over the work of the muscles that can’t move (because of the brace.)  You or your body try to compensate.  That can cause muscle strain in your elbow or shoulder.

So, should you use a wrist brace?

There may be times when you feel it is really helpful or necessary.

For instance, if you wake up with your hands all curled up and are in pain, a wrist brace while you are sleeping will help you keep your wrists from bending.

If you wear the brace loosely, so your body fluids can keep moving through your soft tissues and you can still get some slight movement in your muscles, that might help you wake with less pain.

But, here is the question:  Is it possible that there is a reason your hands curl up when you sleep?  Your muscles do get into “habits.”

Is it possible that the muscles on the palm side of your lower arms and the palm side of your hands and fingers are in contraction (short)?

If so, perhaps massaging your lower arms and palms would help more than the brace would.  Massage can be done daily.  There are directions here at Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief for self-massage.  Look in the “Categories.”

What about wearing a wrist brace during the day?

If you tend to flex your wrists while you are working or playing, and it causes distress in your carpal tunnel area, you might feel that wearing a brace is the answer.  Maybe it is.

Or, perhaps, a better solution would be to “re-work” yourself.  Reposition your equipment, table, desk, chair or footrest so that you don’t have to work with your wrist curled, tilted or bent.

Ideally, at a keyboard, you’ll work with straight wrists, elbows slightly more open than 90 degrees and close to your waist.

Laptops don’t tend to be ergonomic but you can add a keyboard or monitor to make them so

Lots of times we do things in a certain way regardless of what our body would prefer, sometimes just from habit and sometimes from necessity (or what we feel is necessity).

You might be doing things that cause pain without even realizing that you are.

We humans sometimes do things like that.

We are so busy thinking, typing, working, or whatever–we get so involved–that we don’t pay attention to our body until it starts to scream at us.

Including, of course, your carpal tunnel.  It can “scream” pretty loudly.

What’s another solution besides a wrist brace?

Pain relief ergonomics will let you work comfortably with all of your body parts in the correct positions to work without pain at your desk, table or computer.

The first thing you have to do is know the “how” and “why” of positioning yourself.

In a nutshell, when seated, ankles, knees and hip joints should all be at or about 90 degrees.  Your head should be over your body and elbows close to your waist.  Keep your wrists straight as you keyboard.  Keep your fingers soft.

Getting rid of the cause of your carpal tunnel symptoms is much better than just treating symptoms.

Using good work ergonomics may help you be able to work without a wrist brace.  Keep trying to see what time of day or night gives you the most relief when you do use a brace and use if necessary.

Stretching frequently and good posture make a big difference, too!  I have two programs that I created for you to help you get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms naturally and to get a pain-free posture, easily.

You’re welcome to click those links to discover more about natural carpal tunnel pain relief.  (Wouldn’t it be so good?)

“Because You Deserve To Feel Better!”