![]() Individuals who prefer sleeping on their side should gently hug a pillow or a body pillow to prevent themselves from going into the fetal position that can increase tunnel pressure. Having the legs propped up also puts less pressure on the lumbar spine. This position allows for less stress on the cervical spine with less risk of nerve compression also at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. It also increases the risk of other nerve compression injuries at the elbow and shoulder as well as possible irritation to the neck, back and spine. This position increases the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by putting increased pressure onto the wrists. It also does not provide adequate back and hip support. ![]() This position not only increases the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but also increases the risk of other nerve compression injuries at the elbow, shoulder and cervical spine. While placing all of these body parts in these specific positions is not ideal for many reasons, wrist position with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in particular is critical, as changes in wrist position by as little as 20 degrees can significantly alter nerve compression symptoms. 2 This position generally includes a forward head and rounded shoulders posture, bent at the elbow, the wrist bent in the flexed position, and fingers flexed. This is because people who sleep on their side were more inclined to sleep in the fetal position. In fact, one study found a strong association between people sleeping on their side and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. How patients position their wrists during sleep can be one factor that determines carpal tunnel pressure. ![]() Therefore the goal for Occupational Therapists is to decrease carpal tunnel pressure through positioning rather than movement to minimize these symptoms. 1 In other words, we aren’t moving when we try to sleep and increased fluid leads to increased carpal tunnel pressure, causing symptoms to appear. Usually Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms are worst at night due to tissue fluid in the arms being redistributed when there is no active muscle pump. ![]() 1 How can sleep positioning affect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? When one experiences carpal tunnel symptoms, there is increased pressure occurring in this tunnel that is putting pressure on the median nerve, which in turn can cause numbness and tingling into the affected fingers as well as a loss of strength and dexterity. Inside this tunnel lay tendons that bend your fingers and the median nerve. The base and sides of the carpal tunnel are composed of the bones of the wrist and the roof consists of a fibrous band called the transverse carpal ligament. At the level of the wrist, the nerve also supplies feeling to the thumb, index, middle and middle finger side of the ring finger. This nerve allows the muscles it innervates to activate and fire when we want them to (i.e. The median nerve starts from the cervical spine (neck) and crosses through the upper arm all the way into the hand. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?Ĭarpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition affecting the median nerve at the level of the wrist and hand. See below for more details on this common syndrome. How are you sleeping? What is your positioning like when you sleep? Are your symptoms worst at night? These are all questions I ask patients who have complaints of pain, numbness or tingling into the finger tips which may be associated with a nerve compression issue called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Sometimes they finally fall asleep, but wake up with those same symptoms and think “What is going on?”ĭoes this sound like you or someone you know? Maybe it is time to ask yourself some more questions. They lay in bed trying to sleep and notice they have pain in their arms and hands or their fingers feel numb and tingly. Unfortunately some individuals find restful sleep difficult to achieve. For all of these reasons, sleep can be the most important part of your day. It specifically plays an intricate part in helping us repair and grow tissue, like nerve, muscle and bone. It helps to rejuvenate and restore our bodies from the wear and tear our daily activities put on integral structures. Sleep plays an important role in our daily function.
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