Did You Know?

Only 15% or less of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are actually Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

About one third of Carpal Tunnel Surgeries are successful. About one third have mixed success. Another third fail because of damage caused by the surgery – or because within 2 to-4 years the carpal tunnel syndrome returns completely – or because they never had carpal tunnel syndrome in the first place.

RSI can cause permanent disability – with loss of hand function.

Numbness in the hand results from nerves being pinched. This can happen in several locations between the lower neck vertebrae and the wrist.

Most people with carpal tunnel problems also have multiple nerve pinching problems that are not addressed.

Most General Practitioner Physicians only prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, night splinting, cortisone shots, and in worst cases, surgery.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) are preventable, and In most cases are reversible..

Carpal Tunnel Surgery should only be prescribed if there is danger of permanent nerve and/or muscle damage.

Because RSI builds up gradually (usually for years) there is time to explore other alternatives to surgery (including low cost non-invasive medical treatments) that your doctor probably does not know about.

The same techniques to prevent RSI are the same ones that can relieve and reverse symptoms and prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from returning if you already have had surgery.

It is important to not only treat the problem, but the causes. How work stations are set up. How you use your work station. Your work load and how your work is structured. Your hobbies and pass times. Your posture. Your degree of fitness. Other medical problems. Your overall health. Medications. Are you overweight, retaining fluids, pregnant.

People doing the same job can have the same symptoms for entirely different reason.

Old injuries can exacerbate the problem. It may take more effort on your part to overcome them.

You are responsible for your health. Not your boss, not your insurance company. not your doctor, or massage therapist, or your spouse, or anyone else. You. You. You. If you don’t make changes now, what will your body be like five years from now? Ten years from now. You can make excuses or your can do whatever it takes to get healthy.

See these Recommended books for self-help for carpal tunnel, and other repetitive stress injuries.