Gardener Hikes Shoulder--Can She Have Relief From Pain & Loss Of Strength?

Does gardening cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?  Probably not but it can cause pain and numbness in your hand and arm and a lot of the same self-care techniques will help get rid of your symptoms.

Here's a letter I got from a gardener:

"I'm a right-handed gardener. I grasp various hand tools, I shovel, I pull weeds. Those arm/wrist actions have wreaked havoc on my arm starting with a raised right shoulder blade, pain in the notch of my right elbow with certain movements, soreness of the what could be a lower arm muscle muscle and top of the wrist/hand aching. Basically, I've lost strength with grasping and the strength of my right arm. My right hand/fingers occasionally swell. Having all that said, I don't think I have what I first thought was CTS.

Any other possible indicators as to what's going on and if so, any recommendations for self help pain relief?"

She also commended me for all the resources "you have available to help keep us tuned in and for the encouragement."  I just had to tell you that part because it's so sweet. :-)

Here's what I told the gardener:

You have really done a great job of diagnosing the cause of your symptoms.  You know exactly

what you are doing and how your body is responding.  That's half the battle.

Here's an article that will help you determine whether the muscles in your neck are causing symptoms for you.

http://www.carpaltunnelpainreliefnow.com/2009/08/how-can-you-tell-if-the-muscles-in-your-neck-are-causing-your-carpal-tunnel-symptoms.html

Since you're aware of your collar bone hiking up and being right-handed, I'm a little suspicious of your neck muscles.

Yes, there is a LOT you can do to get away from your symptoms.  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  No matter how much strength we have in our hands and arms, there is a limit to how much work we can do.  For some of us, the limit comes sooner because we simply have less strength to begin with. 

2.  One thing you might do is to use BOTH hands at the same time when you work.  That will balance the movements you make.  It may help you not lift your shoulder.  If, however, you lift BOTH shoulders, that's not the desired effect.

3.  You can give your right hand a rest by using only your left from time to time.  This really can be done and it has the added benefit of helping brain cells grow!

4.  If you feel your shoulder lifting, deliberately lower it.

5.  Apply heat (like moist heat packs or rice packs that heat up in the microwave) to the top of your shoulder and the front of your chest above & below the collarbone and your upper front arm.  Ice would work just as well (maybe better).  You may use ice or heat and you may also alternate.  Note:  If one makes you feel better than the other, that's the one to use. 

There is a Category here at http://CarpalTunnelPainRelief.com about Ice & Heat.  Also, go to http://SimplePainRelief.com and find the Category for Ice & Heat.  I love this article that my friend Bette wrote.  She has a great way with words; she's kind of sassy.

6.  Lift both shoulders and roll them backward.  Let them drop.  Lift and drop.  Lift, roll back and drop.  This helps get the circulation going and lets your shoulder muscles know they have options.  (You can do this with very light weights and without.)

7.  Have you found the Categories at Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief for Self-help and Massage?  Many of the articles may overlap but there are several on self-help.  And have you had a chance to check out the Video Category?  As you look through them (they're all very short) one or more may grab your attention.  That's where the neck massage video is, also.

So...

• First you need to give your right arm some rest. 
• Second, move in DIFFERENT ways than the ways you usually do. 
• Third, massage your arm(s), hands, chest and neck above your collarbone and your upper arm(s).  Apply ice and/or heat to those same areas.
• Fourth, be aware of hiking your shoulder and allow it to drop.  Do the hiking and rolling movements several times a day.
• Fifth, there are a lot of articles at http://SimpleStrengthening.com which will help you get a strong back and stretch the front of your body.  A strong back is a very good thing because it allows you to work with your arms in front of your body without straining your back muscles.

You have a smart body that wants to be well.  It just needs a little help from you.  You CAN get rid of the pain and numbness in your carpal tunnel area with self-help.