My Carpal Tunnel Diary

How It All Started Hello, I’m The Carpal Guy, and I’ve been dealing with  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  for over two and a half years now. As someone working in the  IT industry , the constant typing and wrist strain really took a toll on my body. I know many of you reading this probably feel the same way. For years, I took typing, texting, and even chopping vegetables for granted. Then one day, a strange tingling sensation crept into my fingers. At first, I ignored it. “Maybe I slept wrong,” I told myself. But the numbness returned. Then the pain followed. Eventually, I found myself unable to type for long periods, cook without discomfort, or even hold my phone without my hand cramping up. That's when I heard the words: "You have carpal tunnel syndrome." I created this blog because there are not enough resources out there that provide both  practical tips  and  emotional support  for those suffering from this condition. Here, I’ll be offering insights, pro...

    Introduction  Stretching has become one of the most important parts of how I manage my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Over time, I’ve discovered a few specific exercises that actually make a noticeable difference. These four stretches target the key nerves and tendons affected by CTS, and they’ve helped reduce my pain, improve wrist mobility, and make daily tasks more manageable. If you’re looking for simple and gentle stretches that you can do at home, here’s exactly what’s been working for me.  1. Median Nerve Glide Steps : Start with a closed fist → Slowly open your hand and straighten the fingers and thumb → Bend your wrist backward, move your thumb away from your palm → Turn your wrist so your palm faces up → Using your other hand, gently pull the thumb back. Reps : 1 set of 10 repetitions, once per day. Why it helps :  This stretch helps the median nerve move more freely through the carpal tunnel, reducing tension and nerve compression. 2. Finger/ Tendon Gl...

  Introduction Living with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can feel like a constant balancing act between rest and recovery. Over the past couple of years, I’ve discovered that small lifestyle changes and mindful adjustments have made a noticeable difference in reducing my pain and improving mobility. While avoiding aggravating activities is important, I’ve also found several strategies that help me manage symptoms and regain control of my daily life. In this post, I’ll share the tools, routines, and habits that have helped me feel better living with CTS.  1. Padded Wrist Braces (Especially at Night) One of the most effective tools in my recovery has been a memory foam wrist brace . I tried many styles, but the ones with added padding near the wrist joint provided the best support. These braces keep my wrist in a neutral position while I sleep, which significantly reduces nerve pressure and overnight flare-ups. If you’re looking for braces, I recommend trying different models unt...

  Introduction Dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be a challenge, especially when trying to navigate daily activities that can easily aggravate your symptoms. Living with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has taught me a lot, especially when it comes to recognizing what makes the pain worse.  Over the past two and a half years,   I’ve learned that   some activities seem harmless at first, but over time, I've discovered they play a big role in triggering or worsening my symptoms. In this post, I’ll share the top activities that worsen my Carpal Tunnel symptoms and how I’ve adjusted my routine to avoid them as much as possible. 1. Typing for Long Periods Typing is one of the biggest culprits. Even just 15 to 30 minutes of continuous typing can cause my wrist to ache or go numb. Since my work involves a lot of typing, I’ve had to be extra mindful about taking frequent breaks , adjusting my hand position,  and adjusting my posture to reduce strain. 2. Extended...

Introduction Over the past two and a half years, I’ve visited multiple doctors to better understand and manage my  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) . Each appointment brought new suggestions.. some helpful, others not so much. In this post, I’m sharing my experiences with these visits, the advice I received, what treatments worked for me, and what I wish I had done differently. I hope it helps others who are navigating their own carpal tunnel journey. My First Doctor Visit: Getting a Diagnosis When the pain in my wrist became unbearable, I booked an appointment with a hand specialist. After discussing my symptoms, the doctor suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but wanted to rule out other conditions such as arthritis. He ordered an X-ray and then outlined a simple treatment plan. Here’s what was recommended during that first visit: Wrist braces to wear at night to keep my wrists in a neutral position Gentle stretching exercises to reduce tension and improve flexibility in my wr...

Introduction  I never thought wrist pain could impact my life so deeply. At first, I assumed it was temporary pain and the kind of ache that comes from working too hard and sleeping too little. But as the days turned into weeks, and then months, I realized something was wrong. The pain wasn’t going away... it was growing. In this post, I’m sharing the beginning of my Carpal Tunnel journey: the early symptoms, how it affected my daily life, and the challenges I faced over the past two and a half years. My hope is that my story helps others recognize the signs early and feel less alone in their recovery. How It All Started My Carpal Tunnel journey began two and a half years ago when I was spending long hours working on my computer  preparing for an important certification exam. My daily routine involved  typing for three to four hours a day, practicing exam questions  and reviewing notes. Like many people, I didn’t think much of the wrist pain that showed up, assuming...