Relief From Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Non-Surgical Options Prove Promising
by Pat Carpenter
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most commonly reported work-related disorders in Dallas, Houston, throughout Texas, and across the United States. Although studies are still out, those most affected seem to be employees with jobs that require long-term repetitive movements, particularly those working with small hand tools or using computer keyboards on a regular basis.Women are more likely to be diagnosed with CTS than men, and though it is highly suspected many young people suffer from the condition, those between the ages of forty and sixty are the most commonly diagnosed. Those with health insurance are also more likely to be treated.CTS is a painful syndrome caused by pressure on the median nerve of the wrist, which runs through a passageway called the carpal tunnel. This syndrome affects the musculoskeletal structures of the upper extremity, and often results in pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hands and/or wrist. Further symptoms include increased tingling or pain at night, a feeling of uselessness or weakness in the fingers, decreased ability to squeeze objects, loss of strength in the muscles at the base of the hand, and shooting pain up the arm, sometimes as far as the shoulder. In severe cases, partial paralysis may occur.It's been difficult to diagnose in the past, and therefore difficult for many in Texas and across the U.S. to get treatment covered by individual health insurance. Cities like Austin, Houston and Dallas, though, now have more easily accessible pain centers, which specialize in diagnosing the syndrome through physical examinations and specialized scans, like MRIs.CTS is garnering more attention in the medical and business communities in Texas due to its ability to incapacitate valuable workers, not to mention the pain and suffering it causes."It's a tough call," sighed Mike* after a long day. "I hurt all the time now. I have to start considering surgery or
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