Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Post Reply

[HTM]

Hi there,

I am suffering of carpal tunnel syndrome since my baby is born so I got referral to the hospital and they found out it's quiet bad and I need a surgery. I heard from few people which some carpal tunnel exercises and massage will help a lot and maybe even you get completely fine after that and you don't need a surgery anymore...
Just wondering if anyone got any experience or advice about it?

Would love to hear about it.
Thanks.

[HTM]

Thank you for your reply.
I got it for about 6 months now and it just get worth- I do breast feeding so maybe that effect it too! Glad yours is gone by itself.

[Watermelon]

I had carpel tunnel for about 6 months after the birth of my daughter.

I had a course of acupuncture and ultrasound therapy from my physio which I found helped massively.

[stayingcalm]

Hi,
I am a SW London aromatherapist, in practice since 1995 and specialising in pregnancy and post partum massage since the late 90s - back when most massage therapists wouldn't touch pregnancy!

As a result I've worked with many people with carpal tunnel syndrome which is unfortunately very common in pregnancy and it usually does go after giving birth. However if a therapist understands the issue properly ie where and how it originates (not in the hand!) it is possible to alleviate and usually dispel the tension and pain, certainly post partum. Plus, appropriate use of essential oils in treatments can be very beneficial to reduce tension and inflammation, ease pain etc.

I also worked for some time with a client who had carpel tunnel as a result of a sailing injury and had received a great deal of physio for 12 years with no lasting success. His carpel tunnel issue was very entrenched and painful after such a time period but with regular massage it initially eased and eventually disappeared completely.

Just let me know if you would like any more information

[cahitch]

I presume you've tried a splint? Your doctor no doubt will have tried that first. If for some mad reason they didn't then I can't recommend it enough. I had cts in both hands soon after my daughter was born, caused or worsened by pushing buggy and driving much more than previously.It was very painful in the mornings.
By keeping my wrists straight overnight with splints I had miraculous recovery.

My mother had th same and was not given splints. She had surgery. About 12 months after surgery her hand was better. With the splints I was better in days. It occasionally returns a little and all it needs is one night withtge splints on.
Good luck with it all.

[annette]

Try an osteopath first, I have had a problem in both my wrists at various times with a tenosynovitis which is similar to carpel tunnel my GP was quick to suggest surgery but I wanted to explore other options. Osteopathy sorted it out after two visits so extremely relieved I tried that first. Philip Hartley at Balham Osteopaths in Harberson Road is brilliant and has sorted neck, shoulder and the wrist problems for me over the last few years.
Good luck!

[Allybee33]

Hello I suffered from carpal tunnel in both hands in latter stages of pregnancy, it was absolutely unbearable -- permanent pins and needles and fuzzy painful swollen hands. I couldnt write or hold a pen, driving was impossible as couldnt feel my hands, really had never heard of this as a side effect of pregnancy and was caught v much by surprise on this one. Short term; a splint kind of helped relive it a tiny bit, elevating hands on pillows at night until subconsciously moved them again(!) also helped but unforts physio and accupuncture didnt. I took some ice cube freezer bags filled them with water and when frozen used these to relieve pain which was effective - as was plunging hands into cold water. Not sure why and am sure wont work for everyone but did for me.. After the birth the pain in the left hand went completely (am right handed). Right hand persisted for months and months and didnt ease meaning driving and writing still impaired etc etc so after a year had the carpal tunnel release op. The pain left immediately ! The op was quick and simple. Needed help for first week with baby who was 1 while hand and arm in sling but after that recovery very swift and touch wood have never had any pins and needles etc again in either hand. Good luck!

[victoriab]

I have had it now for 3 years, started after first baby. Good splints at night help a little bit but steroid injections have been great. They last different anount of time person to person but I have had 6-9months relief each time before symptoms come back again. Surgery is the ideal but it's not very practical if you have small children to care for (unless you get lots of help) so steroids it is for me until the kids are bigger.
Personally unless it's mild which yours doesn't sound I wouldn't bother with alternative therapies I would get a referral and try injections.
(Maybe try other things while you wait for the appt??)

[naf77]

I had it with both babas & would really recommend acupunture as well as not resting your head on your hand at night. Hope it gets better soon

[Roo4982]

I had it after my little girl was born and it lasted for months. The splints really helped, breastfeeding didn't ( baby resting on my arm) I'm not sure if the breastfeeding hormones make it worse?? But it went soon after I stopped breastfeeding(6/7 months) and never returned. I'm thinking about trying for baby no. 2 and the thought of having that again is not a nice one, so I feel for you.