These two diamond-shaped holes should be right beside each other and maybe 1 centimeter (0. 39 in) wide at the middle. The end with the two holes is considered the “anchor” piece.
Press the anchor end of the tape onto your skin, around your fingers.
To fully extend your wrist hold your arm directly out in front of you, palm up. Then use your other hand to pull your hand downwards so your wrist bends. Your hand should be at a 90 degree angle to your arm. Do NOT pull or apply any tension to the tape when applying it to your skin, just take off the back and press it down onto the skin. When you straighten your wrist and hand you should notice the tape has some natural folds or ripples in it at your wrist joint. This is to ensure you still have full motion of your hand and wrist while the tape is on.
As with the first piece of tape, remove the backing from the anchor piece only and slide over your fingers. Press the anchor end of the tape onto your skin, around your fingers.
Do NOT pull or apply any tension to the tape as you attach it to your skin.
Do NOT pull or apply any tension to the tape while taking the backing off and attaching it to the skin on your arm. Because of the angle of your hand, the tape ends may cross over each other on the back of your arm.
In order to avoid pain later, you may want to consider having the hair off your wrist area and the back of your hand. Do this at least 12 hours before you apply the tape. The reason rigid tape is being used is to prevent movement of the wrist while the tape is on. Wash and dry your hand and wrist before you apply the tape.
Simply estimate the length of tape required for each anchor section, as it’s okay if the ends overlap each other.
To put your wrist in a neutral position hold your hand straight out from your arm and then tilt it about 30 degrees upwards (as your palm is facing down).
Pull the tape off in the opposite direction of how it was put on. It may also help to pull your skin slightly in the opposite direction of where the tape is being pulled.
Taking regular breaks can be used in conjunction with many other treatment options. While taking a break consider rotating your wrists and stretching your palms and finger to help keep the area flexible and loose. When typing on a keyboard try to keep your wrists straight, and avoid bending your hands upwards from your wrist to type. [15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Alternatively, work to keep your hands warm as often as possible. Working in a cold room can often cause more pain and stiffness to develop. Consider wearing fingerless gloves while you work on a keyboard. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Splints are designed to hold your wrists in their proper and straight positions. Also try to avoid sleeping on your hands at night, as this added pressure may add to the pain in your wrists and hands.
Both types of therapy would need to be done over several weeks, at the very least, before improvements would be noticed.
Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any new medications.
While corticosteroids come in oral (pill) versions, they are not as effective for carpal tunnel syndrome as the injected versions.
Endoscopic surgery is where your doctor will use a tiny camera that can be put inside your wrist, and then tiny little surgical tools to cut your ligament. Endoscopic surgery is not as evasive as open surgery, and is easier to recover from. Plus it doesn’t leave noticeable scars. Open surgery is where your doctor will make an incision in your wrist and palm so the carpal tunnel and median nerve can be seen. One your wrist and palm is cut open, the doctor can cut the ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve. Because of the larger incision, it can take a longer time to recover and there will be a scar. Other surgical side effects are: an incomplete release of the nerve from the ligament, which means the pain will not be completely relieved; infections in the wound; scars; and nerve damage. Make sure you discuss all possible side effects with your doctor before making your decision about surgery.
