Ergonomic Common Concerns: Carpal Tunnel (via Noom)

Carpal Tunnel

(AKA MEDIAN NERVE COMPRESSION)

1. What is Carpal Tunnel? You may have heard of it but aren’t sure what it is. It’s when the nerves in your wrist become compressed. It can cause numbness, weakness, pain, discomfort, or tingling.

2. Whether to prevent carpal tunnel or to reduce your symptoms, the formula is the same. It’s important to maintain a neutral wrist while typing and using your mouse (as little left, right, up, or down movement as possible). Additionally, using the correct devices for your hand size is important. If you’re using a mouse that’s too small for your hand, it’s possible you’re squeezing it with your thumb and pinkie, which is a recipe for carpal tunnel (anytime you’re squeezing your pinkie and thumb together, you’re collapsing the carpal tunnel).

   1. Taking appropriate breaks is important as well. Taking breaks to stretch and rest your hands can significantly reduce your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Doing a median nerve glide can help keep that nerve moving easier in your carpal tunnel.

   2. Try to not rest your wrists on the keyboard (or that squishy thing you have) while you’re typing. Hovering uses bigger muscles, preventing you from overworking those little muscles in your wrists. Certainly rest while you’re not typing, though! It takes some practice that’s for sure!

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