Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevention
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Musicians
• Trigger Finger
• Trigger Thumb
• Trigger Finger Surgery
• Trigger Finger Treatments
• Symptoms Of Tennis Elbow
• Tennis Elbow Treatments
• Golfer Elbow
• Repetitive Strain Injury
• Repetitive Stress Injury
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Rotator Cuff Exercises
• Dupuytren's Contracture
• Dequervains Syndrome
• Epicondylitis
• Wrist Pain
• Elbow Pain
• Pain In Shoulder

MUSCLE IMBALANCE: Repetitive and/or static (non moving) wrist and finger flexion causes the flexor muscles which 'close' the hand to develop more strength than the wrist and finger extensor muscles that 'open' the hand. This quickly leads to a "muscle imbalance" of the wrist and hand due to the lack of activities that require direct stimulation of the extensor muscles. (i.e. People do not open doors or hold onto the steering wheel of a car with the backs of the hands.)

Performing repetitive wrist and finger flexion causes inflammation of the flexor tendons due to friction within the severely compressed carpal tunnel; ultimately aggravating the existing symptoms, and leading to possible irreversible damage of the underlying tendons, blood vessels and median nerve.

*NOTE: The above explanation refers carpal tunnel syndrome, but muscle imbalances can affect any joint in the body. For other Repetitive Strain Injuries, refer to Injury Chart on Home Page.

Can The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Reversed?

In Most Cases.

Performing active stretches and exercises with FLEXTEND can help correct the strength and length differences between muscle groups. Equalizing the flexor to extensor strength and length ratio will often create balance on both sides of the finger, wrist and elbow joints, which can help reduce the impingement/compression within and around the wrist joints.

NOTE: For the treatment of other Repetitive Strain Injuries affecting the upper extremity, refer to the Injury Chart on the Home Page.

What Does an Abnormal Carpal Tunnel Look Like?

Overuse causes a muscle imbalance which leads to a joint imbalance, causing unequal pressure on the joint, causing one side of the joint to be loose and the opposing side to be compressed.

What Does A Normal Carpal Tunnel Look Like?

With the regular use of FLEXTEND®, the Carpal Tunnel may return to its normal size and shape, reducing the compression of the median nerve and allowing normal function to return.

DISEASE:Diabetes, thyroid and renal disorders can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, usually due to issues involving increased weight gain and/or fluid retention which in turn may cause the median nerve to swell or cause swollen tendons and other soft tissues to compressing the nerve.

PREGNANCY: A reasonable number of women are afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. The reasons for this usually short term condition is caused by increased weight gain, fluid retention and hormonal changes. The symptoms usually subside once the pregnancy is completed.