Are there any modified Yoga poses for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? The short answer is: Yes. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is characterized by pain and stiffness in the elbows, lower arms, wrists and fingers. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that is often caused by too much time on the computer or doing a similar repetitive task. Nerve compression starting in the neck and going all the way down through the wrists and hands is the primary cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There are several Yoga poses that help to relieve nerve and joint compression thereby relieving pain and increasing flexibility.
Downward Facing Dog stretches the front side of the chest, arms and shoulders. This pose also relieves tension in the upper back and hamstrings. When performed properly, Downward Facing Dog helps to re-align the neck and elongate the spine, which helps to relieve radiating nerve compression in the forearms, wrist and hands.
Just like Downward Dog, you can modify this posture to work around pain for maximum benefits. Prayer Pose is aptly named because it resembles praying to the Divine. Prayer Pose stretches and elongates the cervical spine, triceps, lateral torso and shoulders, thereby relieving nerve compression that often causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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