Please provide some do's and don'ts on dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ignore: Avoid any prolonged position where the wrists are flexed.

Ignore: Do keep wrist in neutral position , avoid over flexing or extending and excess vibration, take breaks.

Ignore: Initial treatment should include night time splinting with a cock-up wrist splint

Don't: Don't forget to have an EMG study done to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel.

Ignore: Do learn some simple stretches that you can do at your desk every hour to relieve carpal tunnel strain.

Ignore: Do get an osteopathic physician evaluation done to see if you can get relief from cts.

Do: Do wait for pregnancy to be done before carpal tunnel gets better.

Don't: Don't use nsaids for cts as it shows no benefit in studies.

Do: Do ensure you have adequate physical therapy to help with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ignore: Don't wear a splint all the time. Don't make it too tight. Don't assume it is Cts. See hand surgeon.

Ignore: Extend your fingertips when fingers get numb, use a wrist cock splint for sleep if fingers get numb.

Wear: Wear a wrist splint for at least for a month, and even at bedtime, when symptoms are often worse.

Refrain: Refrain from sleeping on your forearm and wrist, or engaging in repetitive activities.

If: If you need to type for work, ask your Human Resources department to evaluate your work station.

Ignore: If symptoms wake you at night get wrist splints to keep wrists straight when you sleep.

DO: DO if tingling starts wrist splint at night DO NOT make splint tight DO NOT wear all day.

Ignore: Splints, ergonomic typing, see a hand surgeon if symptoms persist.

Ignore: As pressure against your nerve is the cause, avoid wrist postures away from a neutral wrist posture.

Ignore: If you have weakness or flattening of the muscles about your thumb, do not put off seeing your MD.

Avoid: Avoid repeat flexion at the wrist If prescribed a wrist splint, use at night to avoid flexion.

Do: Do watch your mechanics, learn what provokes symptoms. Do splint at night but not too tight !!!

Consider: Consider purchasing an ergonomic keyboard if you type frequently, to reduce carpal tunnel symptoms.