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Active: 480 users

Have Carpal Tunnel? Here to help!

Forum Index > General Forum
Post a Reply
OOl
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States65 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-22 20:21:15
February 22 2010 16:40 GMT
#1
[image loading]

Poll: More articles on various health issues?
(Vote): Yes
(Vote): No
(Vote): Don't care


Hey guys, I’ve been a long time lurker at TL and I felt a need to connect with my fellow SC nerds. But, I don’t see the point of posting random crap from my day so I figured I’d try to post something that might be useful. I’m a physical therapy student and have two friends with carpal tunnel who I play SC a lot with. I figured for their benefit, and anyone else who has carpal tunnel, I’d post this as a blog. Please keep in mind I’m just a student and therefore anything and everything in this article COULD be total bullshit though to minimize that I found websites to get my information from which relatively secure sources. Hope it helps some of you guys and if you appreciate it please let me know! Also, I might do more like this with hopefully helpful information so if you like the quality of this work and would like more like it PLEASE let me know!
Thanks!!

What is ACTUALLY happening?
Carpal tunnel is primarily caused by a nerve called the “median nerve”. This nerve runs from forearm to the hand. It can become pressed or squeezed at the wrist. This nerve controls all the sensations for the palm side of your hand including your thumb and all your fingers except for your little finger. This nerve is actually inside of a “tunnel” which is called the carpal tunnel. It’s aptly named because it’s inside of a tunnel in the carpal bones of your hand. When your tendons become irritated or swollen in the carpal tunnel, they can pinch the median nerve and therefore cause it to be compressed/painful.

Do you have it?
Obviously, pain in the hands/wrists is the best indicator to if you have carpal tunnel. You may feel severe numbness, or you may feel like your hands are “weak” and feel useless. Feeling like your hands are swollen is another common feeling even if no swelling is noticeable. Tingling or feeling a need to shake your hands out for no apparent reason are other symptoms. Many times, these symptoms will actually start first thing in the morning though not always.

What causes it?
To fix a problem, you first obviously need to determine where it’s coming from. The good news is that in most cases, the problem is JUST pinching the nerve and NOT an actual problem with the nerve itself. This means if you can figure out how to not pinch the nerve, tada! Problem solved! While there isn’t that much actual clinical DATA supporting computer use being a cause of carpal tunnel, I believe when you take into account how many computer game players get it it’s obviously a cause. Other causes can include lots of use with powertools (or vibrating machinery), weightlifting with poor wrist form and a lot of manual labor jobs.

If you suspect you have carpal tunnel!
An early trip to the doctor IS recommended as carpal tunnel CAN become VERY severe. So, if you have these symptoms going to a doctor is recommended. Luckily, computer use does not usually result in the most severe cases of carpal tunnel. So if you’re a low-budget not-worried-about-severe-damage type of guy, hopefully the tips shown here will help you.

Prevention!
All this is great if you have carpal tunnel, but what if you don’t and you just don’t want to get it? For computer usage, the obvious solution is good posture/good wrist position while using the computer. It’s especially important IMO to develop this into a deeply rooted habit if you’re playing SC or SC2 or any other fast-paced computer game so when you’re really focusing on micro/macro you keep good posture without thinking about it.
What to do if you have it!
If you don’t want to go to the doctor or get surgery, the best solution is some simple quick stretches for pain prevention (the more ideal choice IMO) so!

Here they are:
1. Straighten your arm and GENTLY pull your fingers back and away from your palm (so towards your face) make sure to RELAX your wrists and fingers. This is a gentle, soothing stretch, you’re not trying to break your fingers here. Pull back as far as you’re comfortable and gently hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on other hand.

2. GENTLY pull your thumb towards your chest (arm still straight) and hold for 5 seconds. If done right, you should feel it gently stretch, no jerking or pain or pulling sensations. These should be easy.

3. Stand up and put both hands palms facing down on top of a desk or table with your fingers facing each other. Both your thumbs will be facing your body. Gently push down with your arms straight so your wrists bend backwards. Your palms do not leave the table but your wrists are flexed. For more flexible individuals, spread your hands further apart.

4. Stick your arms straight out in front of you with your palms facing down and make fists with both hands. Flex your wrists DOWNWARD while holding your fists. Hold for five seconds. So imagine your arm is extended like punching someone, but you flex your wrist DOWNWARD.
5. Gently and SLOWLY pull each of your fingers. Wrist should be kept straight and fingers straight as well. Cracking or loud noises are okay in this case because the exercise is done in proper anatomical fashion and won’t cause any other medical conditions. Cracking your knuckles or other such things can cause arthritis since you are fucking with your hand in improper fashion.

All these are just exercises designed to help. If you don’t like them or feel like you need them then go ahead and only do the ones you are comfortable with. On the other hand, doing them all is fine as well. These can be done several times a day. Hope this helps!
Keep in mind I’m just a student and I used the internet+my own knowledge to fill this out. I am not a medical professional and all this information is subject to your judgement. If you are more knowledgable on the subject or feel something I have posted is incorrect or unhealthy feel free to say so but please do not bash me since I am NOT a professional!
Works cited:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_11_19/ai_110809218/
Amber[LighT]
Profile Blog Joined June 2005
United States5078 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-22 16:57:38
February 22 2010 16:52 GMT
#2
ooh those stretches felt good

thanks!

edit: I don't have carpal tunnel but I work on a laptop all day
"We have unfinished business, I and he."
TeabagInsurance
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Canada320 Posts
February 22 2010 16:55 GMT
#3
Ooo one of my friends has carpal tunnel, I'll let them know about this.

Thanks ^^
Tired of getting teabagged? Get your teabag insurance today!
wishbones
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
Canada2600 Posts
February 22 2010 17:02 GMT
#4
my arms feel tense, but i feel safer now. Dont go saying april fools, ill hate u! make me stand up and do all that for nothing. grrr. Ty.
joined TL.net in 2006 (aka GMer) - http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=41944#2
notrangerjoe
Profile Joined May 2009
110 Posts
February 22 2010 17:03 GMT
#5
Being more active in general with your hands can help as well. Get a small ball (or even rolled up sock) to squeeze/throw around every few minutes (or whenever you're not using one hand). I used to use a wrist brace, but ever since I got a little stress ball I haven't been in any pain at all
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8091 Posts
February 22 2010 17:05 GMT
#6
you're too late to save GGplay
Free Palestine
Dooba
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Croatia588 Posts
February 22 2010 17:06 GMT
#7
Thank you a lot for this info, this always helps and im always on the search for this kind of knowledge. Also, since your in the process of studying can i ask you to learn some more about workouts / simptoms / facts about other aspects of computer-use related problems?
"Zergs are really stronger. I use to win 60-70%, now it is 40-50. I am switching to civilization 5 for now until any terran can come up with a better tactics."
Guilty
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
Canada812 Posts
February 22 2010 18:46 GMT
#8
Cool stuff, thanks for sharing
"How hard could it be?" -J. Clarkson
flamewheel
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
FREEAGLELAND26781 Posts
February 22 2010 19:24 GMT
#9
Thanks! I don't actually have carpal tunnel from Starcraft, though I may have screwed up my hands with Guitar Hero and Tetris.
Writerdamn, i was two days from retirement
ieatkids5
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
United States4628 Posts
February 22 2010 19:31 GMT
#10
thanks!! im sure ill come back to use this guide one day because i play a ton of stepmania and ffr.
GreEny K
Profile Joined February 2008
Germany7312 Posts
February 22 2010 19:42 GMT
#11
I looked into this at one point because I work all day on computers and also like sc so I figured at some point I would be screwed. Safe for now though, doctors say im fine.
Why would you ever choose failure, when success is an option.
nofAcedAgent
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States952 Posts
February 22 2010 19:52 GMT
#12
Oh this is useful, thanks!

And welcome to TL!!
University
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States263 Posts
February 22 2010 20:00 GMT
#13
Thanks! These stretches are really relaxing, even for someone who is only on the computer/writing a few hours a day.
Chuiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
3470 Posts
February 22 2010 20:24 GMT
#14
Been a console/pc gamer for over 20 years now and I have no problem with carpal tunnel, nor do I think I ever will because I have proper posture for gaming (I laugh after the though of there being a proper posture for that). But I would love to see more articles on random health issues from fellow gamers.
♞
Archaic
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States4024 Posts
February 22 2010 20:28 GMT
#15
On February 23 2010 05:24 Chuiu wrote:
Been a console/pc gamer for over 20 years now and I have no problem with carpal tunnel, nor do I think I ever will because I have proper posture for gaming (I laugh after the though of there being a proper posture for that). But I would love to see more articles on random health issues from fellow gamers.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by proper posture while gaming?
Teejing
Profile Joined January 2009
Germany1360 Posts
February 22 2010 20:28 GMT
#16
great thread, thx !
Chuiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
3470 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-22 20:37:26
February 22 2010 20:33 GMT
#17
On February 23 2010 05:28 Archaic wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2010 05:24 Chuiu wrote:
Been a console/pc gamer for over 20 years now and I have no problem with carpal tunnel, nor do I think I ever will because I have proper posture for gaming (I laugh after the though of there being a proper posture for that). But I would love to see more articles on random health issues from fellow gamers.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by proper posture while gaming?

[image loading]


I sit pretty much the same when console gaming, except I hold the controller in a low comfortable position near my waist. Basically as long as you keep your wrists strait and only use your elbows or shoulders to move your arm then you should be fine.
♞
semantics
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
10040 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-22 20:36:45
February 22 2010 20:36 GMT
#18
A good way not to get pains is to move around a bit more in your chair adjust your self or get up every hour and move around for 5 mins instead of sitting like a potato in a chair for 8 hours. I also use wrist rest while i'm on the computer (which are acutlly palm rests as i have large hands... i even use them as i play games i've just learned to live with it always there, i have no pains.
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