Anyone who has carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) knows pain. Especially in the evening. You might be wondering why, even with sessions at the chiropractor office, or other therapies, your wrist hurts so bad at night. There are several reasons why carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse at night.
Let’s have a look.
Symptoms at Night
If you are losing sleep in the evening, it is because of pain in the wrist. Think about the way you used your wrist throughout the day. Since it is difficult to maintain a safe position for your wrist at night while you sleep, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the wrist get irritated. For example, if you have a tendency to pull or curl your wrists inward towards your chest as you sleep, or if you rest it under an arm or your chin, you are putting pressure on the wrist, and that is causing pain.
Pressure on The Wrist
Since certain positions increase pressure on the wrist, it is wise to wear a splint or brace in the evening when you go bed. This will keep your wrist in a neutral position instead of adding pressure.
Another reason pressure increases is because of the inflammation in the wrist and hand. The fluids that have gathered around the irritated ligaments and tendons will intensify when the hand is placed in certain positions or if you happen to lay down a certain way.
Things To Consider
Of course, pressure from an awkward position at night is not the only cause to worsening CTS symptoms. Posture throughout the day has an effect too. If you have a sedentary job that involves a lot of repetitive motions, like typing at a computer, you might be doing more harm than good to an already damaged wrist. Try using a wider ergonomic keyboard to help with extending the wrists more effectively. You should also think about the way you are holding your smartphone and using the touchscreen.
Other activities, such as exercise that puts pressure on the wrist, like push ups and yoga, could have a factor in nighttime CTS pain, as well.
If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome pain in the evening or find that it worsens to the point where you are losing sleep, be sure to talk to your chiropractor or doctor about it. For immediate relief, try some pain medication, elevating, and icing the wrist.
