How to Use Yoga for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Many carpal tunnel patients are searching for alternative treatments because of the expense and invasiveness of injections and surgeries. Vitamin supplements and certain diets are part of a long-term treatment plan. You can even use yoga for carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries. Read on to learn how to use yoga for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Instructions

• 1

  Look through your phone book for private and group instructors in your area. Ask if the teacher has any experience working with carpal tunnel syndrome patients and if you can take a short introductory lesson for free or a reduced charge.

• 2

  Plan your schedule for two to three yoga classes per week. Most courses are only 45 minutes to one hour long. Try to evenly space out your classes over the course of the week instead of having them on consecutive days.

• 3

  Ask your yoga teacher to focus on upper body yoga postures and movements. The goal of these postures is to correct the alignment of your hands and arms. You may want to wear a wrist brace if your hand is particularly weak from carpal tunnel syndrome.

• 4

  Learn the Savasana pose to help relax your body and mentally cope with carpal tunnel syndrome. Some yoga schools refer to this position as Mrtasana. This posture may be difficult to learn until you've been practicing yoga for a few months.

• 5

  Use your yoga postures at home to help carpal tunnel syndrome. Try to spend 30 to 45 minutes practicing in the morning on days that you don't have yoga instruction. Daily maintenance of your yoga techniques can help reduce muscle soreness after a class.

• 6

  Apply some of the yoga techniques to your everyday movements. You can use things like neutral neck and arm positions to help reduce strain on your body while working at the computer. Conscious application of yoga breathing techniques can also have effect on your day-to-day symptoms.

• 7

  Take a break every two hours at work and do a few quick yoga stretches. Many offices are overly air-conditioned and the cold environment increases the importance of stretching for proper blood flow to your hands.