Carpal tunnel is a common work injury when Employees are performing repetitive motions of the upper extremities. The risk of carpal tunnel can occur everywhere from an office setting to a warehouse environment, but these injuries are easy to prevent with the right training. As a Therapist, you can play an important role on the Employer’s site to help their Employees avoid these repetitive use injuries.

8 Tips to Prevent and Eradicate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Not only do you need to teach Employers and Employees about correct ergonomics, but you should also assist with the environmental improvements. Here are a few things you can do to help avoid carpal tunnel injuries:

1. Eliminate Wrist Flexion: All flexion of the wrist should be eliminated at all times – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is important to keep the wrists in a neutral position to avoid ‘crimping’ of the nerve within the carpal tunnel.
2. Eliminate Ulnar Deviation: Additionally, ulnar deviation should be eliminated at all times: 24/7.
3. Eliminate Wrist Restriction: Any restriction around or across the wrist should be eliminated 24/7. This tip applies to wrist splints and watches as well.
4. Eliminate Palm Pressure: Any pressure at the base of the palm, including pressure from splints or tools, should always be eliminated.
5. Eliminate Hand Supination: A hand held in supination, especially with force, results in increased pressure within the carpal tunnel due to contracted muscles and tightened tendons.
6. Breaks: Employees with continued hand use should take a hand-use break every hour. It can be helpful to stretch the full upper extremity and spine during this short break of activity.
7. Stretching: Basic fingers, wrists, arm, shoulder, and spine (especially cervical) stretches can be used. Teach Employees proper stretching techniques will maximize their movement and minimize the risk of injury.
8. Equipment Use: Some workers may be able to soften their touch and minimize excessive movements when using work equipment.

Work Space: In addition to making changes in the way the workers work, It is important to make sure that the work space itself is designed to accommodate the above recommendations.  Therapists, Employers and Employees should all work together – evaluate the work space according to the postures and positions identified above.  This team approach will bring about decreased injury rates with improved employee health.

Consider using KEY Functional Assessments Network as your primary resource to reduce the risk of injuries on the Employer’s job site.  With KEY Network, our Assessments and educational programs proactively reduce Employee injuries by more than 50%!!!  Learn more by talking to our experienced team.