Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What Does the Hands Good Now

Tingling fingers that fall asleep at night, a numb feeling in the thumb, index and middle finger and a hand that wants to be shaken out in the morning – these are typical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is one of the most common nerve compressions of the hand. This guide explains what is behind carpal tunnel syndrome, when a doctor's visit is important and which everyday steps, dietary building blocks and nutrients have a connection to nerves, muscles and the wrist.

What is behind carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a narrow canal on the inner side of the wrist through which tendons and the median nerve, the nervus medianus, run. If it becomes too tight in this canal, the nerve comes under pressure. The result is abnormal sensations in the nerve's supply area, that is, in the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger.

Typical are night-time tingling and numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation in the fingers and, over time, a declining grip strength. Contributing factors are recurring strain on the wrist, hormonal changes for example during pregnancy or the menopause, water retention as well as certain underlying diseases. Women are affected more often than men.

That the complaints occur particularly at night has a simple reason: during sleep, many people unconsciously bend the wrist, and in this position the pressure in the canal rises. That is why sufferers often wake up with fingers that have fallen asleep and shake out the hand to get rid of the tingling. At first the abnormal sensations usually disappear again completely during the day. If the tightness persists for a longer time, however, the complaints can also occur during the day and turn into permanent numbness or a weakened muscle at the ball of the thumb. This is precisely what should be avoided through timely action.

When you should have it medically clarified

Occasional tingling after one-sided strain is usually harmless. With persistent or increasing complaints, however, a medical assessment is important in order to avoid permanent nerve damage. Have persistent complaints medically clarified; this does not replace medical advice.

• Numbness or tingling that occurs more frequently or lasts longer
• night-time complaints that regularly disturb sleep
• a noticeably declining grip strength or clumsiness of the hand
• a decline in the muscle at the ball of the thumb
• permanent numbness that no longer disappears

A medical or neurological practice can examine the nerve and point out the appropriate path, from a wrist splint through hand therapy to further measures.

What you can do in everyday life

Much of it aims to relieve the wrist and not to constrict the canal additionally. Especially at night, a lot can often be improved.

• Wrist splint: A splint that holds the wrist in a neutral position at night is experienced by many as noticeable relief.
• Adjust strain: Interrupt frequent, uniform hand movements and change the hand position.
• Check ergonomics: Arrange keyboard, mouse and tools so that the wrist stays straight and does not bend.
• Breaks and stretching: Regular short breaks with gentle stretching of the wrist and fingers loosen the structures.
• Shake out the hand: With night-time tingling, briefly shaking out or moving the hand helps many.

Anyone who reduces the strain in everyday life often already noticeably takes pressure off the nerve. At the workplace it is worth taking a scrutinising look at the hand position: the forearms should rest loosely, the wrist stay straight and the mouse be within comfortable reach. Palm rests in front of the keyboard and mouse prevent the joint from bending upwards. Anyone who works a lot with tools, in trades or with vibrating devices can reduce the constant strain through padded grips, breaks and a change of activities. Such adjustments cost little but work precisely where the pressure arises.

Diet that does the nerves and muscles good

A balanced, plant-focused diet provides building blocks that the body needs for a normally functioning nervous system and the muscles, and supports a healthy body weight. The Mediterranean diet has proven its worth.

• plenty of vegetables, fruit, pulses and wholegrains as a source of B vitamins
• high-quality plant oils such as olive and rapeseed oil
• sea fish as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, once to twice a week
• nuts, seeds and green vegetables as magnesium providers
• little sugar and few heavily processed foods

This way of eating supports nerves and muscles and helps to keep the weight in a healthy range. Wholegrain products, pulses, nuts and green vegetables provide B vitamins and magnesium, which play a role for the nervous system and musculature. Precisely because water retention can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel, a salt-conscious, balanced diet also does good. A colourful, predominantly plant-based diet is thus a sensible building block that complements the other measures without replacing them.

Nutrients related to nerves and muscles

Some nutrients contribute, according to the authorised EU claims, to functions that are important for nerves and muscles. These statements relate to normal bodily functions, not to the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
• Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to a normal function of the nervous system.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.

For vitamin B6 the following applies: very high doses over a longer period can damage the nerves. That is why it is important not to exceed recommended amounts on your own initiative. Anyone who combines several supplements should keep an eye on the amounts contained so that nothing adds up unnoticed. The named nutrients do not replace relief of the wrist and no medically recommended measures. They are to be understood as a building block of a good basic supply, not as a remedy against the tightness in the canal itself.

Honestly assessed

With carpal tunnel syndrome, the most important lever is to relieve the wrist, to adjust the strain in everyday life and, in many cases, to use a night-time splint. If the tightness is not addressed, the nerve can suffer damage in the long term, which is why medical clarification is central with persistent complaints. A balanced diet and a good supply of nutrients relevant to nerves and muscles form the basis, but do not replace relief and medical support. Anyone who acts early and stays realistic gives the nerve the best conditions.

A special case is carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy, which is often connected with water retention and often recedes by itself after the birth. Here too, it is worth having the complaints medically assessed and getting through the time well with relieving measures such as a night-time splint. In principle: the earlier you react to persistent tingling, the better the chances that the complaints will calm down with conservative means. If they persist despite relief or the strength in the hand declines, a medical clarification is the right next step.

Suitable products from Scheunengut

Around nerves, muscles and the wrist, the nutrient supply can be supported in a targeted way, for example with B vitamins or magnesium, which contributes to normal muscle function and to a normal function of the nervous system. Anyone who additionally wants to supplement their joint- and bone-related supply will find at Scheunengut Glucosamine & Chondroitin optimised with vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones. This way, a conscious routine around resilient hands can be sensibly rounded off. The focus clearly remains on relieving the wrist and on medical support; the nutrient supply complements this foundation but does not replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I recognise carpal tunnel syndrome?

Typical are tingling and numbness in the thumb, index and middle finger, often at night, a pins-and-needles sensation in the fingers and, over time, a declining grip strength. Many have to shake out the hand at night. With persistent signs, a medical assessment makes sense.

Does a wrist splint help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

Many sufferers experience a splint that holds the wrist in a neutral position at night as noticeable relief, because the canal is thus not additionally constricted. Whether and which splint is suitable should be coordinated medically.

What can I do in everyday life against the complaints?

Helpful are an ergonomic arrangement of keyboard, mouse and tools, regular breaks with gentle stretching, avoiding bent wrists and interrupting uniform movements. With night-time tingling, briefly shaking out the hand relieves many.

Which nutrients play a role for the nerves?

Vitamin B6 and B12 contribute to the normal function of the nervous system, magnesium additionally to normal muscle function. With vitamin B6 it is important not to exceed recommended amounts, because very high doses over a longer period can damage the nerves.

When should I see a doctor with the complaints?

With frequent or persistent tingling, disturbed sleep, declining grip strength, a decline in the muscle at the ball of the thumb or permanent numbness, you should have it medically clarified in order to avoid lasting nerve damage.