Many people don’t realize just how much they use their hands, until their fingers or wrist hurts. There are a large number of diseases and ailments which can cause pain in the hand and arm, the most common being arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Regardless of how you first experienced your hand pain in Jacksonville, the main focus now is to find relief from the discomfort. Luckily, there are a number of options which can work for people of all ages, many of which can help stop and even reverse the degeneration your joints could be facing.
Understanding Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the nerves in the wrist, which can severely limit movement and prevent you from doing activities you once enjoyed. This is a common ailment for typists, musicians, and those who go through the same repetitive motions on a daily basis for extended periods of time. Discomfort can be minor to start, with no limits in movement, but without treatment it can progress to intense pain and limited or even non-existent range of movement. Discomfort can be limited to the wrist, or can spread to the fingers as well as the arm. While surgery is normally used in later-stage carpal tunnel, medications can be administered early to help prevent damage. Many people first notice a slight tingling in the hands or wrists, but usually brush it off as just resting your arms wrong on the table. This, in fact, could be the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Starting a Treatment Program Early
Once you notice some discomfort, it’s important to discuss the issue with your doctor. From there, a proper diagnosis can be made. If carpal tunnel is the culprit, treatment should begin immediately to limit the long term effects of the issue. Sometimes, underlying causes are related to arthritis or diabetes and will need to be treated first. For carpal tunnel alone, treatment usually starts with resting the hands and wrists for a couple of weeks. Anti-inflammatory medications are popular and can be taken orally or injected into the trouble spots. Some studies in the past have shown vitamin B6 to play a role in reducing the symptoms of carpal tunnel, but more studies will need to be done before a definite statement can be made. If symptoms are not reduced or eliminated by medications, surgery could help. It’s a minimally invasive procedure and can be done on an outpatient basis, so be sure to discuss all options with your doctor before making any decisions.
