2024-02-06 16:09:06
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause unpleasant symptoms. Read about how cooling or warming your wrist can help.
The most important things at a glance
People with carpal tunnel syndrome experience symptoms primarily in the hand, such as a tingling or numb feeling in the fingers. The affected hand may fall asleep at night. Pain can also occur in the fingers and sometimes radiate into the hand or arm.
The symptoms arise because the so-called carpal tunnel is narrowed in the carpal area and puts pressure on the nerve that runs there. This can be particularly unpleasant at night and in the morning.
To treat carpal tunnel syndrome, in mild to moderate cases it is usually sufficient to wear a wrist splint at night. It can also help to initially avoid all stresses that worsen the symptoms.
If symptoms such as tingling or pain only occasionally occur acutely, those affected may find relief if they cool or warm the wrist (in addition to the actual treatment). However, there has been little scientific research into how well these methods work on carpal tunnel syndrome. It is also clear that the disease cannot be cured.
In the following chapters, you will learn how to apply the measures for carpal tunnel syndrome and when it is more advisable to cool or warm the wrist.
Cool the wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome
If you occasionally have acute symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, you can cool your wrist, for example with a cool gel compress. The cold causes the vessels to contract for a short time. As a result, tissue swelling in the carpal tunnel may also subside a little. This can temporarily relieve the constricted nerve and thus reduce any symptoms. The cold also inhibits the pain receptors and therefore has a numbing effect to a certain extent.
In order to achieve a positive effect, it is advisable to cool the wrist not continuously, but rather with breaks in the case of acute carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. To do this, for example, wrap a cold (but not ice-cold) compress around the wrist or immerse the hand in a cool water bath and apply the cold about once or twice an hour for 10 to 15 minutes each.
Warm the wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome
Heat can also sometimes have a positive effect on carpal tunnel syndrome and improve mobility, for example if your fingers are stiff. To do this, treat your hand to a warm bath (at a water temperature of around 33 to 37 degrees Celsius) about three to four times a day and make gentle movements with your hand and wrist.
When it is warm, the blood vessels expand, metabolic processes (such as nutrient transport) occur more quickly and the muscles relax. Although this can generally be pleasant in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, heat may be counterproductive in the case of acute pain caused by the constriction syndrome.
Warm-cold alternating baths for carpal tunnel syndrome
Cold-temperature hand baths can also provide relief for symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. To do this, first immerse your hand and wrist in warm water for three minutes and then switch to cold water for one minute. Then repeat the whole thing about three more times. You can use the cold hand baths two to three times a day.
The change in temperature is said to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects and thus be beneficial for the progression of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, this has not been scientifically proven.
Conclusion: The most important things in brief
Cooling and warming have different effects on carpal tunnel syndrome. From a scientific perspective, it is unclear how well home remedies can alleviate the symptoms. However, many sufferers find cooling or warming the wrist pleasant. However, for acute symptoms such as pain or tingling, cold is more advisable than heat. Those affected should discuss with their doctor which methods are most suitable in each individual case and which therapeutic measures are also possible.
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