Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS During Pregnancy : Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition wherein your hands become numb and you experience pains or tingles. CTS occurs normally when you apply a lot of pressure to your wrist and hands in case of typing, writing a lot and knitting. CTS during pregnancy is a common condition and it occurs particularly due to the extra fluid retained in your median nerves connecting your arms and fingers.

According to a study conducted in 2015, carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common in pregnancy and there is a possibility of up to 60% of women who are expecting to face this syndrome. Otherwise, CTS is seen in just 4% of the common population.

Let's quickly get into the details like symptoms of CTS during pregnancy, its causes and how to find relief from such a syndrome.

What are the Causes of CTS During Pregnancy?

Well, you must be thinking that CTS affects only those who work for long hours with a mouse and computer, typing a lot, but that isn't the only scenario. Pregnant women are more prone to CTS if they have obesity, are overweight due to enlarged breasts, are expecting more than one baby or when there is more fluid retention in their median nerve. Being overweight makes you feel heavy on the arms and shoulders.

Besides the above reasons, you might also get a CTS if you have a history of such a case in your family. Heavy or injured back, shoulders or neck can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome as the median nerve comes all the way from the ribcage to your wrist point and then to your fingers.

What are the Symptoms of CTS During Pregnancy?

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include the following:

• swollen fingers
• tingling sensation and weakness
• painful wrists
• numbness in hands and wrists
• inability to perform some simple tasks like buttoning your dress, lifting or even operating an object

What are the Complications Associated with CTS?

CTS during pregnancy happens during the second or third trimester and is cured on its own post-pregnancy. Though only a few pregnant women experience complications with CTS, extreme cases of CTS can lead to inflammation, wrist injury, obesity, and hyperthyroidism.

How to Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Here are some natural remedies as well as medical treatments that can help you find relief and manage CTS during pregnancy:

1. Use a brace

Try to use a brace that will keep your wrist in one position. You can use a splint on one or both of your hands. This particularly helps during the night when the reverse gravity and fluid retention is higher.

2. Set working rules

Ensure you are ergonomically well seated at work. Try to take frequent breaks from your work desk and move your hands by lifting them above. This will help in the circulation of the fluid that is retained in the median nerve.

3. Avoid using a keyboard and mouse

Well, this isn't as easy as it is said. Agreed! But refraining from all the sources of CTS is the best way to deal with it.

4. Mindful eating

Keep an eye on what is on your plate. Avoid eating food that causes inflammation like red meat, and fried and processed food.

5. Try water therapy

Dip your wrist in a bowl of cold water for a minute and quickly shift to another bowl of hot water. Repeat this several times. Alternatively, you can also use a pack of ice cubes wrapped in a towel to place on the swollen area of your wrist. This will ease the swelling and reduce pain.

6. Safe sleeping position

Refrain from sleeping on your wrists or hands or above them as this will worsen the situation. Find a safe sleeping position where your wrists and hands are well-rested.

7. Change wrist position

If you are prone to work or hold an object in the same way for too long, change positions and refrain from objects that vibrate a lot.

8. Try physiotherapy

Exercise can relieve the pain caused by CTS during pregnancy immensely. Follow the below exercises every day and see the difference!

• Wrist rotation: Simply stretch your hands in front (with palms facing the floor) and start rotating your wrists clockwise for a few seconds and then in an anti-clockwise direction keeping your hands erect. This will relax the muscles in the median nerve.
• Wrist rotation variation: Now, just tilt your hands and bring your wrist to a position as if you are holding your window grills with the thumbs facing the ceiling. Now, again slightly move your wrists front and back and feel the stretch.
• Stop position: Next, stretch both your hands with your palms open (as if you are saying stop!). With the help of one hand, press the palms of the other and try to stretch it back slowly as much as you can. Similarly, repeat the other side. Repeat this 5 times on each side.
• Joining both your hands: Now join both your hands (as if you are saying Namaste!). With the elbows lifted to shoulder level, keep the palms together intact and feel the stretch in the wrists.
• Clasp your hands behind: Join both your hands and stretch them behind your back. Try to stretch as much as possible and expand your chest. Do this gently as too much stretching might make you feel tired.

9. Indulge in a massage

Because massaging always comes with a lot of muscle relaxation, CTS can also be dealt with this way! Relax and feel the difference.

10. Essential oils

Here are five natural essential oils to treat carpal tunnel syndrome at home -

• Lavender essential oils help in curing inflammation

• Lemongrass essential oils will help in strengthening the connecting tissues and ligaments.

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• Peppermint oil will help in getting rid of inflammation and irritation.

• Eucalyptus oil aids in curing pain.

11. Medications

Lastly, you can approach your doctor for medications if you find none of the above methods cures the pain and numbness in your hands.

Does CTS linger even after pregnancy?

No. If carpal tunnel syndrome occurs mainly due to pregnancy, then worry not. It will gradually go away after giving birth in a month or two. As it is mainly linked to fluid retention, post-pregnancy there are a lot of chances for it to be cured naturally. Otherwise, if you still face severe symptoms, then consulting your doctor is advisable.

If you are worried about CTS during pregnancy, you can avoid such a syndrome before or during the early stages of pregnancy by letting go of monotonous manual work like typing, texting, browsing, and knitting for long hours.