Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Silent Threat in the Tactical Setting.
From the training facility to the office, members of the police and fire team place a lot of stress on their wrists and hands daily. Although carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) isn’t as common in the tactical world as it is in the industrial world, it can have a greater impact on the ability for police officers and firefighters to perform their job tasks safely.
Common Causes of CTS in Tactical Settings
Repetitive work, prolonged computer use for reports, using firearms, hatchets, and special equipment that require your wrist to be cocked in a funny position for prolonged periods.
Recognizing Symptoms Early
Early warning signs of CTS include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and wrists. Promptly report symptoms and seek medical assistance to prevent further irritation and compression to the nerve.
Modify Your Workplace
For paperwork and office work: adjust your chair height so your hands are level with or slightly below your elbows, use an ergonomic keyboard and/or mouse to decrease strain on your wrists. The goal is to keep your wrist and hand in neutral as you work.
For work done in the car, pace your laptop on your knees or lap to improve wrist and hand posture.
For work done in the field, modification of firearm grips, tool grips, and other things used to perform the job may be justified to improve alignment in high-stress situations.
Stretching your wrists, shoulders and neck before, during and after your shift will help combat the cumulative fatigue of your job. This will help improve flexibility and reduce tension.
Take regular stretching breaks to improve circulation and nerve compression.
Doing postural reversals to move out of forward-flexed, rounded shoulders and odd writ positions can help restore blood flow and provide a variety of movements necessary for health and wellness.
Focus on desk positioning/alignment when you are able. In higher-stress situations, rely on the muscle memory developed during training to take over so you can operate with a clear, pain-free mind.
Seek medical attention if symptoms of CTS persist or worsen to treat this condition and avoid surgery. Treatments may include wrist splints, injury management under OSHA first aid, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications as recommended by a nurse or other medical professional.
OSHA first aid can offer massage and KT taping to decrease overall strain; soft splints can help keep your wrist neutral to reduce compression on the nerve; ergonomic recommendations and a review of any company-wide stretching or strengthening programs will also benefit.
Suppose the injury escalates from reportable to recordable. In that case, our highly skilled physical or occupational therapists can evaluate and treat it based on their findings with manual therapy, trigger point dry needling, therapeutic cupping, and a functional exercise program that progresses to include functional activities closely related to the job tasks.
Conclusion
If you have numbness and tingling in your hands, it’s time to act. There are plenty of conservative measures we can take to decrease those sensations, improve overall function and prevent surgery. If this is a common experience for your workforce, let’s chat.