Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome be caused by something as enjoyable as gardening?
Well, first a little history.
A “syndrome” is a collection of symptoms. “Symptoms” are the pain, numbness, weakness or tingling you feel in your hand and arm.
There are a lot of muscles that can cause symptoms in your hand, fingers and arms. And, what do we use when we garden? Yup! Muscles!
So, it’s possible that you could actually get a diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by gardening.
But the good news is: If gardening is what’s causing your symptoms that means muscles are involved. Muscles are treatable! (I love muscles!)
And, it’s not just the muscles around your carpal tunnel either! Your symptoms can come from your arm, upper back, chest and neck, too.
If you scroll over to the “Categories” and look through the articles in the “Self-Help” and “Massage” and “Causes” Categories you will find lots of helpful articles.
And here are some tips to prevent hand, wrist and arm pain while you’re gardening:
1. Pull weeds
straight up rather than twisting your wrist.
2. Pad your tool handles. It’s easier and takes less pressure or muscle to hold your tools when they are padded.
3. Wear rubber gloves or gloves with gripper palms and you won’t have to work as hard.
4. If you switch positions frequently, it will help prevent muscle overuse.
5. Take lots of breaks to “shake out” your hands at your sides and move your hands and arms in the opposite movement of the one you use the most. Lift your breastbone and squeeze your shoulder blades toward your spine.
6. You really don’t have to do it all at once. Work in shorter time slots. It can still all get done.
If you’re having a lot of soreness or other symptoms after your garden work, use ice packs or rub ice on and around painful areas. Ice is a pain reducer and anti-inflammatory.
But, if it’s not just the garden work, and you can’t figure out why you are having symptoms, then let’s figure out what other possible causes you have. There are several. Look through the Categories.
If you work thoughtfully and figure out how to change or alter the movements that give you symptoms, you can get rid of your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome naturally. If you’d like a little more help, please click that link. It’ll take you to a program that I created just for you.