If you’ve ever been doing something tedious or technical with your hands, you’ve probably felt tightness in your wrists or hands. Usually, you can just shake your hands and relax them a bit and they’re fine. However…

people with carpal tunnel syndrome don’t have that luxury. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes a unique numbness and tingling in the hands that you just can’t shake.

There are several signs and symptoms to this condition that you may want to watch for if you are in a job or enjoy a hobby that requires repetitive hand and wrist movements. These include:

Signs & Symptoms:

1. Pain in the wrist, especially at night when you’re winding down for the day or trying to sleep

2. Radiating pain from your palm to your forearm

3. Burning sensation in your hand, wrist or forearm

4. Numbness in the hand and wrist area

5. Weakness in the hands and wrists

6. Clumsiness when trying to do something tedious or technical

7. Difficulty forming a fist with your hand

8. Difficulty holding, grasping, pinching and gripping

9. Itchiness in the hand, wrist or forearm area

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, or combination of them, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect people of all ages. It can also develop during certain health conditions.

For instance, pregnant women are likely to develop mild carpal tunnel syndrome as their body swells to make room for more fluid storage, particularly in the eight and ninth month of pregnancy.

There are a variety of treatments available for carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment usually begins by the patient wearing hand and wrist splints while they sleep. This keeps the hands and wrists in a neutral position throughout the night. Other treatment options may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Don’t wait until the pain and discomfort prevents you from doing the things you like, or need to do. Address any pain issues right away and do what’s best for your body – you only have one.