Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy: What causes it and how can it be relieved?

Many women I see in my practice are experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If this is you, read on to learn how to manage your symptoms during pregnancy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve which travels from the forearm to the hand through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Compression of the nerve is caused by inflammation or damage to the flexor tendons of the forearm, sometimes due to excess water retention during pregnancy. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and weakness of the hand and fingers and come on gradually and worsen overtime if the condition is not addressed.

Am I experiencing TRUE Carpal Tunnel?

The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, first finger, middle finger, and lateral side of ring finger. If you are presenting with symptoms which do not include these digits, then it is unlikely you are experiencing TRUE carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the hands and arm can also originate from a nerve entrapment of the brachial plexus nerve further ‘upstream' and during pregnancy, this can be exacerbated because women have to lie on their sides when sleeping. It is therefore important to consider muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle as the source of symptoms.

Causes:

• Pregnant women may experience symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, due to oedema in the wrist and hands.

• Carpal Tunnel syndrome can be considered a repetitive strain injury, which means activities we do regularly such as typing, playing a musical instrument and driving can cause these symptoms. These activities can also cause tendinitis or bursitis which can contribute to the narrowing of the carpal tunnel, leading to symptoms.

• Some people may be congenitally predisposed to carpal tunnel syndrome as they were born with a small carpal tunnel.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more common with people aged between 30-60 and it is more common in women.

Some symptoms include:

Tingling/pins and needles into thumb, first, second and lateral side of third finger

A tingling sensation or pins and needles in the fingers and thumb are the most common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. This discomfort is brought on by pressure on your median nerve. You may notice that these symptoms get worse after activities which specifically involve you bending your wrist.

Pain is often worse at night

Your symptoms may be more noticeable at nighttime, due to the fact that you are likely sleeping with bent wrists. This is one of the reasons why doctors may suggest you wear wrist splints at bedtime.

Pain may travel up the arm and even into the shoulder

You may also experience pain that starts in your wrist and rises to your shoulder, as the carpal tunnel worsens. As time goes on, the median nerve that runs into your hand becomes more compressed, resulting in more intense pain that may radiate up your arm into your shoulder.

How can you alleviate symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

• Address the root cause of the symptoms, by identifying the reason behind why you are experiencing Carpal Tunnel. For example, if it is due to working on a computer, can you change your work station or ask your employer to assessment your set up to avoid any strain. By law your employer has to provide a workplace assessment for you whilst you are pregnant.

• Taking regular breaks. It doesn't matter what activity you are doing, it's important that we take regular breaks. Try setting a timer every 20 minutes. When the alarm goes off, wiggleyour fingers and rotate your wrists. See video above for more ideas.

• Keep your hands warm. Whether this means wearing fingerless gloves or holding a heat pad, heat will keep your joints and muscles warm bring fresh blood to the area.

• Keep moving. Taking each joint - fingers, wrists, elbow, shoulder and neck into its full range

• Strengthening exercises - you can do these at any time and will help to strengthen the affected area. A good example is to make a fist and then stretch your fingers out. See video above for more ideas.

• Get a Pregnancy massage. A therapist trained in both pregnancy and clinical massage can help to relieve and strengthen the affected area, providing longer lasting effects.
  

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, please get in touch.

Catherine Leavett

07920194241

bloomandgrowmassage@yahoo.com