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When you first think of a person likely to suffer from carpal tunnel, you may picture someone at a desk and on a computer all day long. While, carpal tunnel does affect those in a traditional office setting, the injury is actually more often seen in a wider variety of industries including assembly lines, sewing, and meat packing. Because carpal tunnel is an overuse injury, anyone in any field can be impacted by the syndrome. Carpal tunnel is a medical condition that is caused by the compression of the median nerve that travels through the wrist. The main symptoms of the syndrome include pain, numbness in the hand and arm, tingling, and the loss of the ability to grip. Given carpal tunnel affects employees in many fields, it’s important that all staff members be aware of ways to reduce the risk of developing the syndrome. 3 Steps to Reducing Risk of Carpal TunnelBelow are three easy steps workers can incorporate into their daily routines to reduce their personal risk:
One of the easiest ways to prevent carpal tunnel is to find a neutral position when sitting. To find neutral, you want to think of your body in straight lines. Why straight lines? Keeping your body in a series of straight lines is actually our most comfortable and natural state which keeps our blood flowing at an optimal rate and reduces the risk of strain. To find neutral when sitting, think of yourself in a series of “L” positions. Specifically,
Counter-balance stretches are important to reducing your risk of carpal tunnel because when you add them to your daily routine, you increase the blood flow to your muscles and counteract the stressors of your previous posture. A proper counter-balance stretch is held for at least 20 seconds to ensure sufficient increased circulation to the area. Briotix only recommends counter-balance stretches that are effective and do not aggravate current symptoms or conditions.
The final step to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel is to take frequent movement breaks throughout your day. If your workday allows it, best practices would have your take a short walk every hour to increase the blood flow throughout your muscles and counteract your previous posture. However, if your day doesn’t allow for several small walks, here are few things you can do to vary your muscle movement throughout the day:
Ultimately, if an employee believes they have developed carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s important that they seek support. Getting the proper solutions in place that allow an employee to work in neutral will not only remedy the syndrome but also help prevent it from returning in the future. Learn More about Briotix’s Education and TrainingOne of the main goals of Briotix is to improve the awareness of musculoskeletal injuries to reduce the frequency of them occurring. Our professional team of Ergonomists work diligently to provide ongoing education to our customers through on-site and virtual trainings which the goal of injury prevention and reduction. To learn more about how our professionals can help your company reduce injuries, become more effective, and ultimately save you money, contact Briotix today. Give us a call or complete the online request form to receive a free, no-obligation price quote for your customized solution. Topics: carpal tunnel Who is most at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome?Who is at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome? Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. People with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk.
What can increase your risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome?Certain conditions increase your risk for developing it, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Lifestyle factors that may increase the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome include smoking, high salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, and a high body mass index (BMI).
What is the main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome?This abnormal pressure on the nerve can result in numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel.
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