| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an affliction that can | | | | WHY THIS STRETCH IS EFFECTIVE |
| affect anyone who pecks away at a computer | | | | This stretch works by reducing tension in the carpal |
| keyboard - and that includes elementary and high | | | | tunnel: the space between the carpal bones of the |
| school students who may eventually work in | | | | wrist and the connective tissue that covers the |
| computer-related jobs. | | | | flexor tendons. The carpal tunnel, which contains the |
| CAUSE | | | | median nerve, compresses the nerve when it is tight |
| The syndrome is caused by repetitive stress, such as | | | | and tense - such as after prolonged typing. |
| typing, and occurs because of compression of the | | | | CARPAL TUNNEL STRETCH |
| median nerve that runs down the wrist and enters | | | | The Carpal Tunnel stretch should be performed |
| the palm of the hand. Much like shin splints, it is an | | | | frequently for about five seconds at a time. Have |
| overuse injury. | | | | your students hold their hands together in front of |
| The result is pain and numbness in the fingers and | | | | them, palms touching, as if praying. Maintaining |
| thumb. In severe cases, the pain can be so intense | | | | contact at the palms, they gradually lift their elbows |
| that it becomes debilitating and can results in missed | | | | until they feel some stretch in their wrists and at the |
| work days. | | | | base of their hands. Instruct them to hold for five |
| While there are a number of braces and cuffs that | | | | seconds, then release and type away. |
| can be used to alleviate the symptoms of Carpal | | | | HOW TO FIT INTO FITNESS OR PHYSICAL |
| Tunnel Syndrome, the best solution is prevention. | | | | EDUCATION CLASSES |
| Here is an exercise that is an effective way to | | | | One idea for fitting these movements into physical |
| prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. While it may a | | | | education classes is to perform the stretch during |
| challenge fitting it into traditional physical education or | | | | other activities: for example, during aerobics, or |
| fitness classes, this exercise - as when we teach | | | | strength movements such as the forward lunge, or |
| students how to properly bend and lift - could | | | | during the warmup or warmdown period. Be sure to |
| prevent a lot of workplace misery in the future. For | | | | explain the reason for the stretch and how it can be |
| that reason, it's a valuable exercise to teach. | | | | used when typing. |
| However, another benefit for students who may be | | | | While it is not a traditional physical education stretch, |
| typing marathon term papers is that this stretch feels | | | | teaching it your students will pay dividends in the |
| good and makes for a nice mini-break. | | | | future. |