Mouse/Keyboard related carpal tunnel syndrome

[Leyawiin]

About three years ago I started having numbness/pain at night in my hands and forearms. Turns out it was carpal tunnel syndrome related to my used of a keyboard and mouse most of the day. I've tried adjusting my workspace and doing regular stretching exercises. Braces are too cumbersome so I don't wear them while on the computer (just at night when I'm having a bad flare up). That's the only advice my doctor ever gives (wear your braces). This past week its been really bad - numbness and pain much of the day. Last night I only slept a few hours even with the braces on.

About my only option is to severely restrict my use of the computer, but that's my major source of entertainment between browsing and gaming. Hate this. I'm pretty sedentary, but would something like really strenuous exercise with a gym quality rower help (building up to it of course)?

 

[vi edit]

Lifting really did help me. Particularly things that work your forearms. Just building up a bit more mass in my wrists helped absorb more and reduced the stress of resting them on the desk. Also when changing up your work space, try and get it so that more of the weight of your arms is back by your elbows. My CTS was the absolute worst when I was forced to rest my forearms against the edge of a desk. That constant pressure on the bottom of my wrists killed me. Moving my desk around so that I could keep more of my arms on the desk and more weight on my elbows helped cut down the tingling, numbness and throbbing I would often get.

 

[Leyawiin]

Thanks for the tip - I'm getting off my lazy butt today and start using that rower sitting in the corner (it was a $900 Christmas present from three years ago I've never used - lol).

 

[x26]

About three years ago I started having numbness/pain at night in my hands and forearms. Turns out it was carpal tunnel syndrome related to my used of a keyboard and mouse most of the day. I've tried adjusting my workspace and doing regular stretching exercises. Braces are too cumbersome so I don't wear them while on the computer (just at night when I'm having a bad flare up). That's the only advice my doctor ever gives (wear your braces). This past week its been really bad - numbness and pain much of the day. Last night I only slept a few hours even with the braces on.

About my only option is to severely restrict my use of the computer, but that's my major source of entertainment between browsing and gaming. Hate this. I'm pretty sedentary, but would something like really strenuous exercise with a gym quality rower help (building up to it of course)?

Give those Wrists, Hands and arms a good rest--Like at least 7 days--use Ice--See how it feels--They need time to recover!!!

 

[Leyawiin]

Give those Wrists, Hands and arms a good rest--Like at least 7 days--use Ice--See how it feels--They need time to recover!!!

I feel like an addict now - seven days with no gaming?!? *starts shaking* I'm sure you're right - I need to go do something else for a week. Its... just... so... hard!

 

[hightree]

Do not do any strengthening exercises for wrists until you are in pain or soon after.

I can't imagine how exercises would help, anyway. Carpal tunnel syndrome comes from a tight space in your wrists where the muscle tendons and nerves run into your hand. So, it's to reduce the use of wrists, not to build muscles...Rowing would kill your wrists, I imagine.

 

[clover_nev]

I work on the computer and often times i feel numbness on my wrist, what I do is soak my hand on a warm water or wrap it with warm towel. It work helps the pain.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Never really had carpal tunnel syndrome. If I've been typing a lot, my wrists get tired and I shake them out, letting my arms hang at my side and get the blood flowing. Or just take a good break.

I do have:

- a callus on the outer heal of my right (mousing) hand

- a rash inside my right elbow, which is kept bent at 90 degrees while mousing for most of the day

I've been trying a little ant-fungal cream inside my elbow at night, which has helped with the rash.

 

[EOM]

I work daily on the computer and constantly experience numbness and pain and fatigue. I've never been diagnosed with CTS but I'm on the computer 8 hours a day every day... good possibility. Also, from slouching and improper posture while sitting i had low back pain.
About 6 months ago I started doing hapkido (basically korean jujutsu); they focus on alot of wrist locks and joint manipulations. I can tell you, my wrists have gotten SO much stronger and I no longer get the numbness and pain from being on the computer all day. Back feels a lot better too!