Don't forget frequent rest periods. Every 15-30 min stop typing or sewing. Try the things below...

For circulation and to release pressure on the pinched nerve:
---open and bend your hand back (opposite of a fist),
---massage your whole forearm too
---flap your hands... hard

For swelling, even if not visible and pain:
---apply ice packs or even that icy (forget names) spray
---anti-inflammatories like Advil or Motrin

Even if you don't want braces when awake, wear them when you sleep; You have no idea how much you curl up your hand to wrist. That nighttime bracing and the above may be all you need... at least try!

I have rheumatoid arthritis, not carpal tunnel syndrome, but I studied up on it when my violinist daughter was 14. Every week, she was taking lessons and practicing, playing in the school orchestra, playing in our county's Jr Symphony, enrolled in a college class for String Quartets, and playing in various other activities like community theater. She loved it dearly and still does 15yrs later. But that was hard on her little growing wrists. We learned a lot, she rearranged her techniques and eventually got over it without surgery. Her hand specialist even went out of his way to find consults of drs helping other musicians, though none had children patients. It was quite an ordeal. But if she could overcome it, so can you. If after giving everything else a good try, you need surgery, just do it and feel better.

I had CTS surgery years ago in my left wrist. Still have occasional pain with it (like overdoing the keyboard or hand work). So I just wear my brace at night until it feels better. But surgery is probably your best bet...

One movement in yoga is just what quiltswithdogs said - open and bend your hand back - first do each finger (gently but firmly), then do whole hand. (do both hands) The idea is to stretch the muscles in the opposite direction from what they are used to. I'm not sure I like the idea of flapping the hands hard - I think it's too stressful - but that's just my opinion.

Put both hands flat on the wall at arms length and press into the wall. (again - the idea is to stretch the muscles in the opposite direction).

Put your hands in front of you in a prayer position - then put finger to finger and press into each other.

When you sit at the table, put your forearms flat on the table, then lift only your hands and raise them back as far as they can go - feel the stretch.

I will go through my yoga books and photocopy poses that I think might help and I'll send them to you. They're not only good for your CTS, but for your back, legs, arms. In the meantime - do the above several times a day. I do a lot of knitting/crocheting and wear a glove. It's fingerless and kind of stretchy so it fits snugly - idea being to keep the wrist warm and give slight support while still being able to do needlework. I forget where I got them, but maybe Clothilde or a needlework place such as Herschnerrs or Annie's Attic.

I don't blame you for not wanting surgery. I've heard some that went well and some that didn't. I'll avoid it at all costs myself.

Thank you sooooooo much for the suggestions---I will start practicing now. I am a nurse also and have seen the unsuccessful surgical treatments of CTS. In the end, I may end up with surgery but not until I have tried altlernative treatments.

I had CTS surgery on my left hand and boy let me tell you. What a relief that was. I still get pains in my elbows but that's because I sleep with my arms bent up. My right hand is has slight CT but not enough to have the surgery. I wore a brace on my left hand while sleeping and it helped but it didn't make it go away completely because I am on a computer all day and I do a lot of sewing.

Good luck, I hope the non-surgery recommendations work for you.

Sandi

I'm dealing with tendinitis all the way to the elbow on both arms and it can make cutting quite painful. That is tough to do with the braces on. I take breaks when I have flair ups, nibble on Naproxyn, ice my arms, and hope for the best. I also get regular adjustments from my Chiropractor which seems to help.

Do try the stretch of open hand, fingers back, throughout the day. The point is to release that pressure on the nerve. That's the purpose of a brace too.
Also, I forgot to tell you to massage your arm all the way up to the front of shoulder/clavicle region to promote improved circulation. The nerve's pinched area can be in the elbow or all the way up to shoulder/clavicle. Right now, I forget the nerve's name and route but it is in your basic nursing anatomy book. Knowledge is power!

And don't forget to ice (for swelling & pain)... like always, 20min on, 20min off.

Cathy

My sister had to have CTS surgery. She used the braces for a long time and when they didn't help anymore she had surgery.

I started the thread that Prism99 refered to. I put the quilt aside that I had been working on at that time, and my hands seem fine now. I do remember some of the things that redquilter mentioned: massaging the whole forearm and bending the fingers back. I had gone to a massage therapist at one time but she started to work outside her home and our hours didn't match. She seemed to be able to 'work out' the kinks in my wrists and arms and after a day of rest, I could get back to work. I am trying like heck to avoid surgery!

Yes, professional massage therapy is very good. If that's not possible, self massage is good. I think it was quiltswithdogs that talked about it - massage the arm all the way up to the shoulder. Acupuncture is another option. And, as others have mentioned - a brace is good. They can be purchased over the counter in any drug store. Of course, you can't do anything with it on, but I wear mine when I sleep. (when I remember!) Between that and the bite plate to keep me from grinding my teeth, I'm not a pretty sight. Good thing I don't put rollers in my hair anymore! Yikes!