From repeatedly clicking the mouse all day every day, I’ve developed tingling in my index finger. Ignored it for a couple of weeks as it always stopped a couple minutes after I stopped using the mouse, but surprise surprise, it got worse. A couple days ago the tingling persisted as I was trying to fall asleep, so I decided to completely switch to my left hand on the mouse until it gets better. The symptoms have not changed since then, it’s just tingling in the index finger and numbness of the whole hand, both seem to randomly vary in intensity throughout the day.
I have not been diagnosed by a doctor yet, the reason is I’m staying in a foreign country and that would be a substantial investment. So for now I bought a wrist splinter and decided to give it a couple of weeks (if it doesn’t get worse of course).
My question is how does carpal tunnel syndrome (or a similar condition resulting from a pinched nerve) relate to training? For now I have only ditched the arms superset that results in a huge forearm pump (just don’t wanna feel any more numbness), other than that all kinds of pressing and squats intensify the numbness (I guess because the wrist is in some level of extension under the load), but it seems to return to normal after a few minutes. No problem holding the deadlifts.
Hey, has this issue occurred previously? If so, what did you do previously to resolve the issue? I understand you are having numbness in the entire hand (front and back?) and tingling in your index finger. Any loss in grip strength? Movement of hand or function? If this is a carpal tunnel issue, then the approach is to modify daily activity that is sensitizing the issue (example at work modify how long you are working before noticing symptoms). Then introducing movement to tolerance and loading of the area. Happy to discuss further.
Hey, thanks for the response! No I have never had any similar issue before.
Yes the whole hand gets kinda numb starting from the wrist, but I only get the tingling in the index finger.
No loss of movement or function, I didn’t drop anything even when the symptoms were the worst. It feels like I can’t squeeze the empty fist very hard, but can hold onto 100kg deadlifts double overhand no problem.
I’ve been using the mouse with the left hand for last two weeks (the issue is in the right hand, just to clarify) and the symptoms seem to be slowly going away (or maybe I got used to it and weird tingling sensation doesn’t annoy me as much anymore).
What do you mean by introducing movement to tolerance and loading of the area?
Hey Jimmy,
Thanks for the info. Typically, CTS is deemed an overuse issue that often is seen in office workers; similar to your presentation of symptoms.
The first step is modifying work activity that increases symptoms. You’ve already done that by switching to the left hand but I’m assuming you are right hand dominant and at some point will need to switch back. So I’d recommend trying to still use your right hand throughout the day while at work but dose it in small amounts in the beginning, then increase the time-frame as you tolerate it. Example: Day 1, able to use right hand at work with mouse without increase in symptoms for 5 minutes. Day 2 try to push it just slightly past 5 minutes and see where you can get to. Slowly building tolerance from there. I also usually like to dose in hand and/or wrist exercises to the area such as weighted wrist flexion and extension. You can rest your wrist on your knee while holding a lightweight dumbbell and go into extension then flip over and do flexion. I’d also recommend as symptoms regress, dosing back in your usual training movements but adjust the load based on symptoms. If you need help with this process, I’d be happy to consult. Contact Us | Barbell Medicine
Thanks a lot, I love this actionable advice. Starting to build tolerance and wrist exercises from today!
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