I often wonder the same thing :) More likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

The symptoms often first appear during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. You may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength is another sign.

Symptoms usually start gradually - frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent.

There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, however there is a focused appearance of the condition among musicians.

Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.

Exercise - Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. In many music colleges, Pilates is thought to the student as a serious class for exactly this purpose - reducing the risk of serious injury from repetitive performance in stressed physical positions. I would suggest this, or even a basic form of stretching as the most likely and simple solution. There is a strong possibility that it will work.

Alternative therapies - Acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved. This makes a lot of sense as the causes of the condition can be varied and difficult to pinpoint. An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

I hope that helps Wendy.

Ciaran

www.ciaranhope.com