A Carpal Tunnel Primer

by CurlStylist on Monday, April 26, 2010

Surveys have shown that a great number of stylists suffer from shoulder, neck and wrist pain—common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). And this can be a debilitating condition that is sometimes career-ending.

Kevin N. Mabie, M.D, Orthopedic Surgeon and President and Managing Partner of Coastal Orthopedic Institute, P.C., clarifies the causes and symptoms of CTS and advises how to reduce job-related stress factors.

Definition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by dysfunction of the median nerve as it passes into the hand from the forearm on the palm-side of the wrist by way of the carpal tunnel. The disrupted function of the nerve causes burning or tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger, and sometimes in the arm and shoulder.

Stress Factors

There are many factors that predispose a person to CTS, such as being female, having diabetes or thyroid disorder, and being pregnant. An important cause of CTS that can be modified is workplace exposure to repetitive and vigorous use of the hand as would be seen in assembly line work and hairdressing. It is has been thought that vigorous and repetitive use of the hand causes local swelling in the carpal canal, which in turn causes direct pressure on the median nerve.

Treatment

If a person has early symptoms of CTS, evaluation by a physician is mandatory. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) can relieve early symptoms.

Mechanical splinting of the wrist in neutral position (especially at night when people are prone to having their wrist flexed while sleeping) is often very helpful. Some advise the use of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements to ease the symptoms. Extreme cases may call for a cortisone injection into the carpal tunnel, which may be temporarily curative in some cases. If symptoms are severe and persist for months, surgical treatment may be needed. There are several alternative types of surgery, but all are relatively brief, outpatient procedures with a good outlook for success.

Prevention

Many hairdressers are prone to CTS because they hold their arms and hands above shoulder height to comb, brush and dry hair. Elevating of the arm and hand while using the hand for holding or lifting exacerbates pain and numbness. Modifying the work environment in order to minimize the amount of work done above the hairdressers’ shoulder height is beneficial. Minimizing the weight of required tools, like the hairdryer, can go a long way towards relieving the repetitive, vigorous motion that can bring on CTS.

The Freestylist Free-Floating Dryer Support System is a tool that eliminates one of the most common reported activities that hairdressers report increases their symptoms, and is likely a primary cause of CTS. It was originally designed for a stylist with CTS to specifically relieve the weight of holding a dryer. Other tools like scissors should be in good working order so the repetitive opening and closing of the blades does not require more force than needed. Schedules should also be managed to interpose easier work between those clients needing more demanding treatments. It’s also important to rest and recover away from work and maintain the best physical condition possible to avoid over-working joints like hips, knees, back and neck.