Poorman's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Remedy

Now, I'm not a doctor, don't pretend to be, and my opinion is not "medical advice". I am not any sort of trained medical practioner or professional. For all legal purposes, don't listen to me, because I don't know what I'm talking about. See a doctor. He is a brilliant man, and will declare, "you have carpal tunnel, stop doing whatever you did to cause this, and see this more expensive specialist.. but first pay me". And you will say, "thanks for the tip, doc."

On a less cynical note, be careful, failure to treat carpal tunnel properly can result in permanent damage. In certain cases, we're talking about losing the majority of sensation and use of an entire hand.

Fine print aside, yesterday, carpal tunnel syndrome flared up in my left hand for the first time in two years. Today, I'm back to work with minimal symptoms -- this is excellent, as losing the use of my left hand for even a week would be disasterous given my current obligations. For all of you folks out there with carpal tunnel syndrome, suspected early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, or whatever, a treatment that is free, worked miracles for me, and best of all, doesn't require medical insurance. The following two items of advice are to be taken in addition to stretches (which should probably be taught to you), and whatever appropriate changes you need to make in the amount of stress you put on your wrists.

As Needed: Assuming you've taken advil before, eat lots of advil. Again, I don't know anybody's medical chart, and don't know how to read a medical chart, so don't go off saying "But this blogger told me it was safe, and I almost died, and I want damages". Again, remember, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Get two tubs that are deep and wide enough so that you could submerge both hands in them at a time. Fill one with ice, and water. Fill the other with HOT water -- not so hot that you'll burn and injure yourself you crazy bastard, but as hot as you can bear for thirty seconds. Now, place both hands in the icy cold water for twenty to thirty seconds. It will be uncomfortable, and nearly painful, but brave it. Then immediately place your hands in the hot water, keep them in there for as long as you kept your hands in the cold water. Repeat two more times. So it goes cold-hot, cold-hot, cold-hot.. done. Do these contrast baths three times a day, preferably before you do any activities that might flair up you wrists.

With this treatment, I've been able to play Rachmaninoff and type thousands of words a day without any symptoms. And again, I'm not a doctor, I'm just a web programmer who doesn't like to rack up medical bills.