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irishthump

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I love the Drummer Cafe!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« on: July 24, 2003, 03:08 PM »

Apologies if I've put this in the wrong category guys!!!

My girlfriend was recently told by her doctor that she has Carpal Tunnel syndrome. She was experiencing symptoms such as tingling in the hands and numb hands every morning after waking up.
She has been referred to a specialist but won't see one for a few weeks. Plus, she can't be prescribed any medication for several months as she went through a troubled pregnancy on our third child.
Can any of you guys recommend any sort of excercises that can help her in the meantime, any help is welcome, guys.

Thanx.


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"Free your mind, and your sticks will follow....."

psycht

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2003, 03:36 PM »

This is from WebMD.com. I would read into this further since I don't know enough of the severity of the situation, but hope it helps:

Home treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome:

Can ease pain and prevent further damage to your wrist.
May completely relieve your symptoms if you start treatment when symptoms first occur.
If you have mild symptoms, such as occasional tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your fingers or hand, follow these steps to reduce inflammation:

Rest your fingers, hand, and wrist.
Stop activities that you suspect are causing numbness and pain.

Relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as often as once or twice an hour. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and pain.
Wear a wrist splint at night to relieve pressure on your wrist.
Do simple range-of-motion exercises with your fingers and wrist to prevent stiffening. Stop if you have pain or numbness.
When your pain is gone, begin exercises for flexibility and strength for your arm and wrist. Learn the best positions and posture for hand and wrist movements. (See the Prevention section of this topic.)

Consider taking vitamin B6 supplements to help prevent and treat carpal tunnel symptoms.


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Do It Doug!

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drumwild

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2003, 03:47 PM »

My Workers' Comp doctor gave me these stretches for my Tendinitis. It was so painful and I couldn't even GRIP anything! I spent a hard year recovering so I could play again.

It's always best to get medical advice directly from the doctor, as I'm not certain these would work for CTS. They did work for my Tendinitis.

=====================
PRAYER STRETCH
* Sit or stand with your elbows out and palms together at chest level.
* Press your palms together and slowly lower your wrists until you feel a stretch.
* Hold for 4 seconds. Relax.
* Repeat 10 times.
* Do 2 sets per day.

WRIST FLEXION (do with both hands)
* Hold your hand in front of you with yoru palm down and elbow bent.
* Grasp the back of that hand with your other hand. Pull back so your fingers point down as you straighten your arm. Feel a stretch in your forearm and wrist.
* Hold for 4 seconds, then relax.
* Repeat 10 times.
* Do 2 sets per day.

FINGER GRIP AND RELEASE (do with both hands)
* With your hand, make a tight fist (or you can grasp a sponge or a ball). Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
* Spread your fingesr as far apart as possible. Hold for 4 seconds, then relax.
* Repeat 10 times.
* Do 2 sets per day.

PINCHING (do with both hands)
* Slowly bur firmly press your thumb to each of the fingertips on that hand.
* Next, prses your thumb to the middle part of each finger, then to the lower part of each finger.
* Repeat 10 times.
* Do 2 sets per day.
=============

I still do these so I can continue to play drums without problems.


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SteamRhino

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2003, 03:53 PM »

Nudrum, waiting expertise from the resident OT


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ritarocks

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2003, 04:12 PM »

Quote from: SteamRhino on July 24, 2003, 03:53 PM

Nudrum, waiting expertise from the resident OT

hehe

While we're waiting...I would like to ask the drummers who have been diagnosed with this condition if and how this condition specifically affects your playing...


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nudrum

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2003, 05:11 PM »

And the OT weighs in!!
Gee, I don't know.

Just kidding, sort of.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by compression of the nerve (the median nerve) that goes through a pathway in the wrist, between the bones and a ligament. Tendons go through this tunnel too and when the tendons get inflamed or there is excess fluid due to pregnancy, or there are other circumstances that aggravate the area and cause swelling, the nerve gets squeezed.
You don't want to aggravate the swelling by too much movement. The main thing to do is figure out why there is compression on the nerve (OTs are good at this). Is it repetitive movement, an injury, is she pregnant? Pregnancy can cause general fluid build up. Once you know what is causing it you can develop some sort of plan.
The plan would be something like this:

1 Stop any actions that are repetitive and involve extension of the wrist.
2 Put ice on the wrist to decrease swelling.
3 Elevate the wrist above the heart as often as possible to allow fluids to be pulled away from the area.
4 Wait for your specialist to refer you to an OT who might give you a splint to further limit the movement and give you exercises that won't aggravate the injury.