As described earlier, the root cause of the issue comes from excess pressure being placed on the median nerve. But what causes this excess pressure? The most common cause is actually brought on by repetitive motion: the constant use of our hands in patterns without alteration. This is unfortunate considering how many professions require us to use our hands these days, many of us spend a considerable amount of time writing either with a pen and pencil or on a computer; other professions greatly affected include gardeners, artists, massage therapists, and hairdressers. Hours of completing the same tasks, moving fingers, hands and wrists in similar fashion without enough breaks can lead to serious compression of that nerve.

Medical conditions such as Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hypothyroidism, breaking or fracturing your wrist, and even obesity may also leave you more vulnerable to carpal tunnel syndrome. Lastly, being female increases the likelihood of experiencing it. Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome throughout their life. This is theorized to be due to the fact that, on average, the female wrist is smaller in diameter, meaning the odds of compression are far greater. Also pregnancy seems to be a time when it is developed, due to the fluid retention and swelling that can occur.

In order to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, some lifestyle changes may need to be set in place. For instance, if your symptoms were induced by repetitive motion, you may need to take more breaks. During these breaks it may be advised for you to do some exercises and/or stretches to counteract the movements of your job or hobby, effectively breaking the pattern and relieving the pressure brought on by repetitive motion. This where a postural analysis can examine what type of therapeutic stretches and exercises are necessary to relieve carpal tunnel pain. Exercising regularly can strengthen hands, too. Lastly, for physical interventions you may be recommended to wear some form of splint or brace to immobilize your hand, normally at night while you sleep to help prevent yourself from waking up with tingling, or numb fingers.

The doctor may also recommend some form of anti-inflammatory drug, whether it be prescription grade or an over the counter NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug). If you are of the mindset against such drugs, a dietary intervention may be another avenue you choose to look at. Staying away from or limiting foods known to cause inflammation like meat, dairy, processed sugars, and alcohol can go a long way. It would go even further adding foods to combat inflammation such as turmeric, fruit, and leafy greens could help you. As a last resort, if all the previous interventions fail you may be recommended to undergo surgery in order to fix your problem.