My doctor thinks I have carpal tunnel. I m waiting for a referral to whichever specialist it is that deals with this kind of thing. Is there anything I can do to in the meantime, stretches or anything? I get numbness when I sleep and when I play drums etc.

The one that worked for me was (I'm guessing) a variant on the "scalene stretch".Stand sideways on to a wall at arm's length. Place the palm of your nearest arm flat against the wall, fingers pointing upward.Then looking straight ahead, gently move your head away from the arm touching the wall.This looked so basic that initially I didn't even think it was a stretch, but the moment I tried it, I could feel it tugging on the nerve, and over time, it did more than anything else to make it go away. Your mileage may vary, obvs.I also found getting a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard (the one with a wrist rest) and an Evoluent upright mouse absolutely transformative. Seemed pricey at the time, and I was sceptical about their efficacy but Christ, two of the best things I've ever bought ever. Worth every penny.I had really debilitating pain some years ago, changed the keyboard and mouse, did that stretch, and after that bout of pain went away, I haven't had a problem since.

You replied to yourself. All of these look like it: I do some hand gripper squeezing, wrist extensions and wrist stretches. It not only relieves the discomfort from working on the computer, but also eases the cramps I get from woodchopping (I do a lot of).

Night Splints.If you haven't already tried that, consider doing so. Enforcing neutral positioning with standard velcro and plastic splints can help daytime symptoms even if you don't have night symptoms, even more helpful if you do. Temporary full-time splinting also can help but also messes with your hobbies and livelihood so starting just at night is reasonable. Takes some weeks so be patient.

I had bad Carpal Tunnel and arthritis which was impacting sleep, preventing me from drumming for more than 20 minutes at a time, and in general was fucking up my life. I went to PT, wore splints, did exercises / stretches, and eventually had surgery.Eventually the only thing that really made much difference was changing my diet (cutting way back on sugar and refined carbs) and losing 60 lbs. Not to say that my experience is the norm, but definitely worth considering if you are carrying any extra weight.

Change your work space. Move where your computer is, even if slightly, change your chair, change as much of your work space as possible. Do this often.

Thanks. I ve got a wrist splint for wearing while I sleep. It has certainly helped me sleep better. And yes I am carrying wayyyyyy too much weight. I m also stressed as fuck in my job which involves much heavy lifting. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Dudley wrote:I also found getting a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard (the one with a wrist rest) and an Evoluent upright mouse absolutely transformative. Seemed pricey at the time, and I was sceptical about their efficacy but Christ, two of the best things I've ever bought ever. Worth every penny.I had really debilitating pain some years ago, changed the keyboard and mouse, did that stretch, and after that bout of pain went away, I haven't had a problem since.Yes. If computer is a problem, the Microsoft ergo keyb plus mouse change-up is a must. I switched hands on the mouse as well. Went with Kensington Expert, with the cue-ball-sized trackball.All that plus acupuncture with e-stim and massage fixed my tendinitis permanently, years ago.If you can manage this variation of locust pose, with your palms on the floor under your body, it's a killer forearm stretch. Not super easy tho.

My hands used to always hurt, and were curled up like claws since I was a teenager. I did lots of stretches but it didn't help at all. I'm 44 now. About 10 years ago, this guy was recommended to me by a bunch of other musicians around Chicago:http://www.lamalobsangpalden.com/about/He spent a bit of time poking around in my forearms with his fingers until he seemed to find what he was looking for. Then he told me it was going to hurt a little bit. In fact, it hurt a lot. He dug his fingers deep into my forearm for about 5 minutes straight. The pain was really intense but when he was done my hand laid open, no longer curled. And my forearm LOOKED different! I couldn't believe my eyes. I'm skinny but I had Popeye forearms, which I thought was just how I was built, but no, it was tendonitis or inflammation or I don't know what. Now they look normal and don't hurt.