Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

 
Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
It sounds a bit bizarre
But things the way they are
I feel as if another life's begun for me

And if I had a cannon I would fire it
To add a sort of celebration touch
But since I left my cannon at home
I'll simply have to say

Thank you very, very, very much!
Thank you very, very, very much!
 
My dear blogger friends I think the words from 'Scrooge' sums it up perfectly. I am so glad I posted my request for help .You are all so brilliant and between you some great suggestions where made and I have acted on it. I am overwhelmed by the support and love I feel from you bunch of enormously talented women.
 
You will be pleased to know I did go to my GP. Lots of test were the order of the day. It seems I may have tunnel carpal syndrome. So, all your suggestions are in fact correct. Gosh , you guys are great
 I thought it might be helpful to link to information about carpal tunnel  in one place for future reference. It can happen to anyone. So firstly, This tells you what  carpal tunnel is. This is what can cause it
  
                                                        http://youtu.be/hUyMNyrOHJQ
My friend Maya recommended this video  and I have to say it is helping. It is really painful to do but I feel re assured that this is common and it will improve.

The wonderful blogger Mereknits suggests this
"The first thing you need to do is rest. I think relaxing the neck/arm muscles is very important. Lie down on your back, no pillow, with your arms relaxed next to your body, palms up. Do this many times a day, I think the floor works best. Stay there a while and do deep breathing to help you relax. Buy wrist splints and wear them all that you can, it gives the wrist stability and prevents wrist flexion which is causing part of the problem. Acupuncture is a blessing and would really help a LOT! Rolling the shoulders backward one at a time very slowly and gently several times a day will help put you in alignment" .
I can vouch this is really helpful and I suggest you do this even if you don't have any pain it is really good to start to learn to relax the muscles.

 I have bought  wrist splits in the past but have not used them as much as I should have hence the really bad pain I have let build up .I now use one for the day and one that I wear at night .I have learnt that most of this is my own fault I should have listened to my body and stopped as soon as I felt the twinge  .
Blogger Jessie's Needles suggests seeing a Bowen technique Practioner .The Bowen Technique is a remedial, hands-on therapy that is applied using very gentle pressure. The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body to perform Bowen’s unique sets of rolling-type moves which stimulate the muscles and soft tissue of the body.  There is no manipulation or adjustment of hard tissue and no force is used.  The experience of a treatment is gentle, subtle and relaxing.  It is believed that the Bowen Technique prompts the body to reset, repair and balance itself and clients report the experience of pain relief, improvement of function and recovery of energy .
The wonderful host of the Blooming crochet along Chrissie suggests seeing an osteopath.  The fabulous Vintage Sheet Addict suggests acupuncture.
 Jacqueline  suggests turmeric
"Turmeric is good for inflammation.  I'll infuse a small piece in a cup of warm water with a slice of lemon" Turmeric's natural anti-inflammatory qualities mean it may work as well as some anti-inflammatory medications, without the side effects. I found this article talks about ways of taking it.

After all these suggestions the fabulous Love made my home blogger Amy  suggests
" In the meantime, lots of rest, stretching and exercises to gently keep you moving, and definitely keep yourself occupied.  Thinking about things alone is the worst thing that you can do, read an involving book, do some crochet, watch a film (keep the radio on in the background on a music channel to keep something cheery going on and so that you are not sat in silence at home), go for a walk, make some tea dates with friends at a local café, anything to keep your mind busy as over thinking is not good as you no doubt know"

I have been spoilt rotten and the Mr booked a weekend at a spa  where I  had two sessions of hot stone massage ,if you have not tried it please do it is so relaxing, sheer bliss .We had massage , sauna and sat in a steam room all day followed by a wonderful meal . It helped enormously  and with my tens machine we seem to be making headway.

I have also tried to spend more time in silence, sitting in that sauna simply being quiet, just listening to my heartbeat and trying to concentrate on breathing. The wonderful Cosmos and cotton . has inspired me with her great post about balance.

Amy also recommended I read this blog post.This has been a great help and very inspirational  I think the things she has written  will resonate with, and help others who are maybe going through troubles of their own. We really don't know what people are dealing with on a daily basis in their private lives, do we?? It has helped me get a grip and realise that's things aren't that bad and the light is really just at the end of the tunnel I'm halfway there, so thank you everyone . I love bloggers you all totally rock


11 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend. I have had a repetitive stress injury and it was very painful. I hope you're all back to normal soon.

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  2. Good news. At least you know that something can be done. My father has just had the surgical procedure (2 weeks ago) and is now able to sleep and I understand he planted 3 rows of potatoes yesterday. Thank you for all the information you researched. Now I know it can have a generic link I will make sure I do the exercises. Hope you find relief soon.
    S xx

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  3. Hooray!!!! You are feeling a bit better and taking control of all that is happening in your body. I am so glad I could be of some help, I have been there so I know just how painful all of this is.
    Hugs to you and best of luck.
    Meredith

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  4. Just emailed you and came here to find such great news. I am so happy !!! Please do not do the exercise to the point of pain, start gentle and increase as you improve. Abrazos

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  5. Wonderful to know you are feeling a little better. Take it easy.

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  6. I've just read your latest posts, and I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. You've been given some good advice I think, and I'll be rolling my shoulders a bit too every day, it does help with stiffness. When I worked in an office every day I spent quite a while holding a phone on my shoulder for a lengthy period each day, and eventually my back and neck were very painful. Even after I stopped, the constant typing all day caused upper back pain, and I couldn't play the piano because I couldn't hold my arms out any more. The good news is that when I left the job and was able to relax my arms and back, the pain went completely. And now I can type and play the piano as much as I want. I do hope that you are able to rest and allow your body to relax and recover and that you can find different more comfortable positions until you recover. And I hope that recovery is swift.

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  7. I somehow missed your previous cry for help, but I am so glad you got soooo much good advice. Isn't this bloggy community of ours just so amazing. Hugs x

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  8. Sorry that I am so late coming back to you, I have been away from my computer for a few days. I am so glad to hear that you are sound so much more positive, it radiates from your post and the words are glowing with happiness. I really am so pleased for you that you are obviously feeling so much better in mind even if the body is taking a little longer perhaps. We are all here if you need us anytime and glad to help, listen, support and cheer as needed. Keep taking care of yourself and I hope that you have a good Easter. Love Amy xx

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  9. Helda, so sorry to hear this...carpal tunnel syndrome sounds painful and rotten especially for someone like you who needs to use them hands to create stuff....I think the rest and relaxation advice is brilliant advice and you should be suitably pampered and relaxed and mellow....lots of love and healing wishes...xx

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  10. I'm glad you've got the help you need. I think finding out what's wrong is the main thing, then you can take it from there. I hope you find out what works for you so that you can finally get some relief.

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  11. I've just been catching up with your posts - goodness, what a rough time you've had. But I'm glad you've found the right help, and hopefully are on the mend! I can't begin to imagine how frustrating is must have been to not be able to crochet when it's something that you're so good at and love to do so much. Take care. xx

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