Source: MedlinePlus.gov

To understand the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, we first need to understand the carpal tunnel itself.

The “tunnel” is actually just the place where the median nerve crosses under a ligament into your wrist. And since the bones in your wrist are known as carpal bones, it’s known as the carpal tunnel. 

The median nerve extends from deep inside your shoulder down your arm, through the forearm, and into the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when there’s pressure on the median nerve in this area. There are a number of causes.

Some people are just born with smaller carpal tunnels, which makes them prone to injuries. 

Others frequently use hand tools that vibrate, such as holding a jackhammer all day. The strong movement can eventually cause inflammation and damage to the tissue.

 While carpal tunnel is often associated with repetitive work—typing, using a mouse, playing a musical instrument, and the like—current research has actually not shown this as a cause. 

(But bad posture while doing these activities can certainly make the symptoms worse, that’s for sure.) 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is most common in people aged 30–60, and more prevalent in women than in men. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to a number of different symptoms in the hand, from slight tingling to severe pain.

Generally speaking, the more severe the pain is, the worse the damage is.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome tends to get worse. So if you’re experiencing some of the milder symptoms, start treatment right away to avoid the more serious ones

Source: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The most basic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your hand. You might also feel shock-like pain that runs up the fingers.

The medial nerve brings sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers, so tingling or pain in those locations is a warning sign. 

You’ll probably feel these symptoms most strongly while holding your wrist in an unusual position like bent back to hold a book. 

And the symptoms are frequently worse at night. 

In fact, if you’re the type of person who sleeps in a position that bends your wrist, the pain might be so sharp you actually wake up from your sleep. 

For me, I felt mostly tingling and numbness, but never any sharp pain. That said, the pins-and-needles feeling was so uncomfortable, I had trouble sleeping at night. 

Typically, carpal tunnel syndrome starts gradually and without any particular onset. 

So don’t discount the symptoms if you don’t remember injuring your wrist. It usually doesn’t work that way. 

How do you know if your carpal tunnel syndrome is getting more severe? 

If the pain grows sharper or more intense, that could be a sign that there’s more pressure on the nerve. 

You might also find that your hand becomes so weak you sometimes lose your grip and even drop things. 

Activities requiring fine motor skills like writing or tying your shoes may become difficult. 

There are two main factors that hint that your carpal tunnel syndrome is getting serious. 

First, if the symptoms are getting more painful, this is a sign that the condition is worsening, and you should take it seriously. 

Second, if the pain or effects are so severe they’re keeping you from your normal course of activities, you should get a medical diagnosis.

The hand and wrist are complex areas with a huge number of interconnected parts.

Because the nerves that run through the carpal tunnel only affect the part of the hand, you shouldn’t see symptoms in too many other places. 

For example, if you notice tingling in your pinky finger or outside of your arm, those likely aren’t symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid scheduling a time to meet with your doctor. The median nerve is one of many that run up and down your arm, and any of these can be injured. 

Just know that if your symptoms extend beyond the range of the first few fingers of your hand, carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t the only diagnosis.

While it’s never fun to have a problem like carpal tunnel syndrome, the good news is that it likely isn’t a permanent or chronic problem. 

With the right care, it can be resolved within a few weeks or months. And most of the early treatment options are simple and easy to do at home. 

(I know—a few months isn’t exactly “great” news. But when your job is writing, it’s a relief to know this won’t last forever.) 

Even if you need to get surgery, it’s a common and relatively safe procedure that should get you back to normal fairly quickly. 

(I actually had a friend who had carpal tunnel surgery about a year ago. She’s a graphic designer who spent all day on the computer. She was able to keep working during recovery—albeit with a wrist brace and rest—and today she’s back and doing better than ever.)

Source: Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash

If you’re in pain right now, the first thing you need to know is how to relieve it.

The following remedies don’t solve the underlying nerve compression, but they can provide fast relief for the pain.

• Shake your hand. Simply shaking your hand back and forth can reduce some of the symptoms for a short while.

• Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen can be effective for carpal tunnel pain.
  
• Ice your hand. Put your hand in ice or ice-cold water for about 10–15 minutes. You can do this up to twice an hour as necessary.
  
• Warm-up your hand. Heat can also help. Try flexing your hand in warm water (around 100º F or 40º C) a few times each day.
• Rest up. Switch hands or rest from activities that cause pain. If you can’t stop them altogether, take short breaks every 15 minutes or so.
  

With those in mind to help manage pain, let’s look at the least invasive ways to solve the nerve compression causing the pain in the first place.

Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

If you’re looking for the simplest yet most effective option, this is it.

You can find a wrist brace at your local pharmacy, usually for under $20. (It might also be called a wrist splint.)

Some braces are adjustable for either hand, while others are specifically for your right or left hand.

I’ve used both and would recommend one designed for the specific hand. It’ll be a much more comfortable fit.

If you go that route, be sure to check the packaging—don’t get home with a brace for the wrong wrist!

Don’t wear the brace all the time, as the wrist needs to move to stay strong and flexible.

Instead, put on the wrist brace at night and during any activities that cause wrist strain. 

(Again, it’s best to avoid activities that cause strain or force. But if you can’t, wearing a brace is second-best.) 

A brace can take up to a month before you start noticing improvement. As long as symptoms aren’t getting worse, keep using it.

Source: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

One of the biggest changes I made was adjusting my posture. 

I’ve spent years sitting in front of a computer without doing my research. Big mistake! 

Now, the correct posture won’t repair carpal tunnel damage that’s already happened. But it will help you heal and can help prevent carpal tunnel from coming back. 

I’ve since done a lot of research to learn the best wrist positions while typing at a computer. If you're doing something else at a desk, like drawing or writing longhand, adjust these tips to that activity. 

To understand the correct position, we first need to look at common mistakes. The first is having our desk too low, putting our wrists at an upward angle as in the photo below.

Source: andreas160578 from Pixabay 

While non-invasive options can be very effective, over half of carpal tunnel cases require surgery. 

This operation is known as carpal tunnel release. It works by cutting the ligament that induces pressure on the carpal tunnel, letting the nerves move freely.

It’s most commonly an outpatient surgery. And while recovery can take up a year, you’ll be able to resume light activities soon after the procedure.

Source: Godisable Jacob from Pexels

My carpal tunnel left as unusually as it came.

A few nights of sleeping correctly, some stretching, and a permanent change to my desk posture seemed to be the cure.

It never got very serious, so early treatment was enough.

And while that’s not the case for everyone, most doctors agree that you can resolve carpal tunnel with basic treatment at home.

Pick a few of the most successful remedies I’ve mentioned here, and give them a shot.

If those don’t work, it’s time to see a doctor.