yes, i would think that this is carpal tunnel that you are suffering from..i would pick the surgery as a very last resort...acupunture works well for this and there are also the exercises as suggested..there are a few pressure points that can be massaged for some relief, too. they are the muscle that is on top of your arm, right at the bend of you elbow on your forearm, the area that is rigth above your bicep bulge, leading up to your shoulder and the area between your shoulder and you neck..all these muscles help move your arm and become fatiged and tight from over using your hands..so, if you can give them some massage and rest it should help your hands from going numb...you should be able to tell if you are hitting the right spots when they are massaged because they will be tender.
char.