by: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT
Carpal tunnel syndrome reached epidemic proportions in the 90?s and has now achieved a status equaling pandemic proportions in the 21st century. With carpal tunnel syndrome having such devastating effects on millions of people each year, how do you know if you or someone you know has it?
With so much attention and hype the past 10-years concerning carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace, you would think that a clear-cut picture would exist regarding the ?how?s? ?why?s? and ?what is it?s? of carpal tunnel. Although carpal tunnel syndrome should be easily recognizable with such extensive media exposure, you would be amazed at how many people, including a lot of doctors, who do not recognize the symptoms or misdiagnose it as something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.
In order to provide a more clear picture of what carpal tunnel is, why and how it develops and what can be done to eliminate it, I have provided information below to explain the process so that you can better identify and therefore prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from taking over your life.
What is the Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a passageway in which the nine flexor tendons, median nerve, arteries, blood and lymphatic vessels pass through in order to supply function and movement to the fingers and wrist.
The carpal bones line the carpal tunnel on the posterior surface (backside) of the wrist with the transverse carpal ligament positioned on the anterior (front side) of the wrist. The size of the carpal tunnel is about the size of the index finger in diameter, and the flexor tendons, arteries and nerves glide past one another with ease in a carpal tunnel that has not decreased in size.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develop?
Because the finger and wrist muscles are constantly overused in one-way movement patterns, (Gripping, squeezing, typing, etc.) a "muscle imbalance" develops, causing the carpal bones to shift, in turn, making the carpal tunnel smaller and impinging the structures within, resulting in painful and debilitating symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
? Tingling
? Numbness
? Paresthesia (Pins & needles)
? Loss of grip-strength / coordination
Sensations involving tightness, discomfort, stiffness and pain on the front side of the hand and wrist may be present in carpal tunnel, but may also be symptoms of a general repetitive strain injury.
The only true telltale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome that you need to be aware of affect the thumb, index, middle and sometimes one-half of the ring finger. (All of the fingers and symptoms listed do not have to be experienced simultaneously for you to have carpal tunnel syndrome.)
If you have symptoms in your entire ring and/or little finger and your doctor tells you that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you don?t! The ULNAR nerve supplies function to the ring and little finger and has nothing to so with carpal tunnel syndrome. (If the ring and/or little fingers are affected, it may either be Cubital Tunnel Syndrome or Guyon?s Syndrome)
How Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Eliminated?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can quickly and easily be eliminated by performing a good stretch and exercise program that addresses the existing muscle imbalance that is the cause of carpal tunnel in most cases.
Staying Symptom-Free:
Knowing why carpal tunnel syndrome develops and what to look for is the key to keeping your hands healthy. With the information provided above you should now be able to recognize the disabling symptoms and take the steps necessary in order to stop it before it stops you!
About The Author
Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world. Balance Systems, Inc. http://www.repetitive-strain.com.
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Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 4)
by: Steve Renner
Top Investment Performance
Throughout history, many coin collections have produced substantial long-term profits for their owners. This is particularly true for coin collectors of this century. Indeed, Harold Bareford reportedly purchased a collection of U.S. gold coins for $13,832 in the early 1950s which was resold at auction in 1978 for $1.2 million. A more substantial collector, Louis Eliasberg, built a collection that cost about $300,000. In 1982, it brought $12.4 million at auction.
This investment performance has been well documented by sources as diverse as The Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports and a host of industry periodicals and guidesheets. What these reports have shown is that carefully selected portfolios of rare coins have had a high rate of long-term appreciation.
Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results and investments in...
Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 4)
I Think I See Gold!
I Think I See Gold!
by: Arthur Buchanan
I bet you are saying to yourself what in the hell is this person talking about? Now hold on before you judge me, give me a chance to redeem myself and make sense of this whole chapter. Even the title will make sense in just a short while, so just hold on to those opinions and let me have a shot - Thank You!
Let us say your house burned down and all that you were able to get out of it was you and your wife and children. Now do not get me wrong that is the most important thing to get out. At least your family is safe. Yet you are sad because everything you had is gone. All your cloths are gone. You are overwhelmed by the loss you are now suffering. Then a strange thing happens you look down in the ashes and you think you see gold in the fire. Somehow it is different; it is like all your desires.
What this means you are wondering to yourself? It hits you - your house was worth $85000 and they, (the insurance...
I Think I See Gold!
Podcasting Alchemy: Customer Service Transformed Into Gold
by: Mark Orion
Think alchemy is a dead art? The spirit of Merlin is alive and well via the magic of podcasting. Podcasting is revolutionizing marketing communications and creating the next level of customer service. It?s tech support on steroids, unlimited one-on-one time with your customer, and a new commitment to above and beyond excellence that will make your customers love you.
The magic?s in the medium and podcasting is hot ? molten hot. It wasn?t long ago a simple search for podcasting in Google turned up about 600,000 results. Now, in less than a year?s time, the search boils over with 36,400,000!
And? the numbers are rapidly growing!
Wake up call. Podcasting is exploding. This is the Internet powerhouse to watch in 2006.
Exactly how is podcasting turning customer service into gold? Let?s take a look inside Merlin?s cave and see what going on with this phenomenon?
First...
Podcasting Alchemy: Customer Service Transformed Into Gold
The Gold is in the Opt-in List
by: Kathleen Gage
When I consult with small and home based business owners, more times than not one of the greatest concerns they have is how to increase reach to a targeted market while keeping costs down. Hands down, effectively using the power of the Internet is the cornerstone to achieving this outcome. More times than not, companies are not using their Internet presence as effectively as they can.
I often see a company that has a website that looks great from a design perspective, yet from a marketing and sales perspective the site is not working. Many people are under the mistaken belief that if a potential customer or client visits their site they will be so impressed they will automatically return time and again. Fact is, this is not what happens in the real world of the Internet. Chances are within minutes most visitors have forgotten sites they looked at unless there was something that encouraged them...
The Gold is in the Opt-in List
It Really Is Only 'Early Days' In The Internet Gold Rush....
It Really Is Only 'Early Days' In The Internet Gold Rush....
by: Richard Grady
One of the questions that I am getting more and more used to hearing lately is:
'Is it too late for me to start an online business?
Have I missed the boat and have all of the best opportunities been and gone?'
My reply is always along the lines of, 'Absolutely not - there is still a wealth of opportunity online and even if you start your online business tomorrow, you are still well ahead of the majority of people'.
I genuinely believe that this is the case but I know that many people do feel that they may have missed the boat and that there is nothing more that can be done online that isn't already being done by someone else.
If you are one of those people, read on....
I attended a corporate function last week - non Internet related - and had the chance to talk with a large number of UK business men and women.
These people...
Kitchen Improvements ? Enjoy Now and When You Sell
Kitchen Improvements ? Enjoy Now and When You Sell
by: Raynor James
Who would?ve ever though the kitchen could be the key to building wealth in your home? Well, it is. If you are going to increase the value of your home through improvements, the kitchen is a very good place to start.
Improvements
Obviously, making improvements to a kitchen is entirely dependent upon the current state of the kitchen. Still, there are particular areas you should focus on.
Colors
The colors in a kitchen can enhance the overall feel and worth. Neutral colors are used frequently in up-to-date kitchens. Soft shades of gray, cream, gold and earth tones turn up often. Wood in cabinets and floors tends to be in medium to light colored finishes. Sometimes it?s painted and then the paint is wiped off to show the wood grain. Brushed steel hoods over ranges or cooking units are popular and practical. ?Islands? are also still popular. Sometimes the material...
Kitchen Improvements ? Enjoy Now and When You Sell
Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
by: Sam Serio
Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother?s Day, but there are pitfalls, especially if you rush at the last minute. Procrastination and a lack of knowledge can be rewarded with overpaying for a piece of jewelry or even worse, being ripped-off.
A gift of jewelry can be expensive. Asking friends, family and co-workers if they can recommend a website, brick and mortar store or local crafts person can help. Checking with the better business bureau is also a commendable approach.
When you are shopping, ask the salesperson to write down any information you might rely on to make your purchase and before you buy, ask for the store?s refund and return policy. When ordering online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including refund and return policies if you?re not satisfied.
Six Smart Shopping...
Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
Gold ring Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Do You Have It? 