Its effects may be gradual, but yoga, when practiced regularly, will rock your mind, body and spirit.

Why Yoga?

The longer you go without stretching, repeating the same basic muscle movements every day, the more likely you will lose your range of motion and be unable to move freely.  Yoga can help balance your body and keep it free of aches of pains.  Even women in nursing homes who regularly participate in yoga classes have fewer complaints of aches & pains than women who are sedentary.  It has also been proven to reduce medication requirments in those with asthma and has long been know to be more effective than splinting patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  If you have arthritis in your hands, you can reduce tenderness, pain during activity, and improve range of motion.

One of the major benefits of yoga is its effect on anxiety.  Because yoga practice involves breathing and meditation, yoga practitioners are more likely to be calmer and less likely to react negatively to outside circumstances.

Getting Started in Yoga

First you need to do a little research and decide which type of yoga will best suit your personality, lifestyle and current level of fitness.  I have taken yoga classes at yoga studios and at the gym, and I also have several yoga tapes for home practice.  I enjoy both and choose whatever works best for my schedule and mood.  I use my tapes every morning before breakfast.   AllegroMedical.com’s most popular yoga DVD is Everyday Yoga – Hips and Knees DVD.   It includes 5 different daily yoga practices that can be performed Monday through Friday, to keep it fresh.

Note to those who think they can’t do it:  Even after practicing yoga for years I am by no means a pro at this, and if I can do it, anyone can.  It’s how it makes me feel that keeps me going.  I’ll never be able to bend like a pretzel, but hey, I do what I can and that’s enough.  Remember, it’s called yoga ‘practice’.

To find a class in your area, check out the Yoga Journal Directory or your local paper.  If you’re just starting out, a hatha or vinyasa class would probably be best.   You can try other ones down the line.  I have friends that swear by the “hot yoga” classes. 

Yoga Equipment, Videos and Clothing

Yoga Mats - Also called sticky mats.  You can sometimes rent or use a mat at a yoga studio or gym, but really you will want your own mat for hygiene reasons.

Yoga Starter Kit - This has everything a beginning yoga student needs, including yoga blocks, a tote bag to take to class, a sticky mat, straps and a postures poster for reference.  You can also buy these essential yoga props, yoga foam blocks, yoga straps, a yoga mat and a small pillow or blanket separately.

Yoga Balls - Besides the essentials, there are some fun exercise balls and a FitBall Yoga DVD you might want to try at home. 

See all Yoga Videos/DVDs

See all Exercise Books and Videos

Pants – A pair of shorts or sweatpants will do, but you might look for special yoga pants that are fitted but give full range of motion.  Some are fitted at the top but slit at the bottom so you can check your alignment.

See all Yoga Equipment

See all Exercise/Fitness

The effects on your body from yoga are quite different that those you’ll find from traditional exercise.  Yoga is slow, dynamic, static.  Effort is minimized and awareness is internal.  The parasympathetic nervous system and the sucortical regions of the brain dominates.  Traditional  exercise is the opposite.  It involves maximum effort, muscle tension, cortical brain domination, forceful movements and external awareness.  Yoga carries a low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments.  Less so with exercise.

If you can, do both.  If you want to get started on something that will unite your mind, body and spirit.  Something that helps you find harmony, then I suggest yoga.

Namaste (I bow to you).

Where is the Carpal Tunnel?

According to the Mayo Clinic, ”Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway – about as big around as your thumb – on the palm side of your wrist.  It protects a main nerve (the Median Nerve) to your hand and nine tendons that bend your fingers.” 

Pressure placed on the median nerve produces the numbness, pain and eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Anything that reduces the space for the median nerve, within the carpal tunnel, can cause pressure on the nerve.  While some research shows that carpal tunnel syndrome can result from repetitive use of the tendons in the hand, other possible causes range from rheumatoid arthritis to hormonal disorders (diabetes, thyroid, menopause), wrist injuries and fluid retention.  Or perhaps your carpal tunnel is just narrower than average.

Repetitive computer use is commonly assumed to cause CTS, but according to Mayo Clinic the scientific evidence for this association isn’t definitive.  However, you may be at a higher risk for carpal tunnel if your work or hobbies involve a combination of awkward, repetitive wrist or finger motions, forceful pinching or gripping and working with vibrating tools.  

Symptoms and Diagnosis of CTS

Your doctor can do a series of tests to determine whether you have CTS, but one diagnostic key is that the median nerve doesn’t reach the little finger, so if you wake up and your fingers are tingling and numb, but your pinkie isn’t, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome.  Another clue is ’when’ you experience the symptoms.  Typically you might feel weakness, tingling or numbing while holding a phone or a newspaper, gripping a steering wheel or waking up during the night.  Mine starts with a general ache in my wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

The good news is that most people can be effectively treated for CTS non-surgically with wrist splinting, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids (cortisone injections).   The wrist supports/splints/gloves designed for carpal tunnel relief prevent flexion of the wrist and holds it in a neutral position so you can’t squish the median nerve.  Our most popular wrist splint is the Smart Glove but there are many on the site to choose from.  We also have an area on the site where you can “Shop by Condition” for a variety of  Carpal Tunnel Products including wrist supports, hammers, tools and daily living aids.

If you can’t get relief non-surgically and you have symptoms for more than 6 months, your doctor may recommend surgery to cut the ligament pressing on the nerve.  From what I’ve seen and heard, this is not where you want to end up and I would have plenty of second opinions first.

If you have the symptoms of CTS, I suggest you get started on a conservative treatment right away.  Stop sleeping on your hands and wear a wrist splint at night.  If the pain persists, see your doc. 

Want to set up a healthy computing area?  Read “Top 10 Healthy Computing Products” for ideas.

Here are a few of my favorite ergonomic computing products that will help you ease (or avoid) carpal tunnel pain, neck stiffness, lower back pain, fibromyalgia, eye strain and more.

1.  Wrist Cushion for Mouse - Anything with ergoBeads in it is good (just like anything with cream cheese in it is good).  Another one I like is the Non-Skid Mouse Pad because its..um… non-skid and it has ergo beads.  Either way, your wrist is completely supported – cool and comfortable all day.  If you need a smaller mouse cushion, check out our snazzy, colorful Le Petit Cushion – ooh la la.

2.   Non-Skid Wrist Cushion for Keyboard - Conforms to any keyboard and raises your wrists to the proper height to unblock your carpal tunnel.  Bonus: ergoBeads give you an all-day massage at no extra charge.

3.  Large Print Keyboard – Having problems seeing your keyboard?  Here’s your solution.  It is rated 20/300 on the Snellen Visual Acuity Scale with most others rated at only 20/70.  Whatever that means, I’ll bet you’ll see better with this one.  There’s also a Wireless Large Print Keyboard.

4.  Smart Glove –  Reversible to fit both left and right hands, this patented wrist wrap helps prevent and relieve wrist pain.  It was developed by an orthopedic hand surgeon for his patients.  Handy!  It’s flexible, moldable and breathable. I also like this inexpensive lightweight Computer Glove with ergoBeads.  It’s great for gaming or any kind of repetitive motion that can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

4.  Ergo FootRests – Choose from two heights (go shorter if you’re shorter –  5′4″ or under).  Once you try it you’ll never go back to flat feet on the floor.  Fast relief for you lower back and thigh muscles. 

5.  Roho LTV All Purpose Seat Cushion – There will be no more sore butt with this customizable cushion.  Use it in the office, the car, on the tractor, in the bleachers or anywhere you cop a squat.  If you’ve never had a Roho, you’re in for a treat.  Weighs 1 pound.

6.    FitBALL Chair – Combines a 55 cm FitBALL with a rolling base.  Strengthen your core and improve your posture while working at your desk!  Neato.  I use mine while jamming on Guitar Hero.  The height and back rest are adjustable and it includes an air pump.  See All FitBall Products.

7.  3M Professional Anti-Glare Monitor Filter – Reduces glare by 95% and blocks 99.9% of radiation.  Comes in three sizes.  No more squinting.

8.  Monitor Stand - Monitor a pain in the neck?  Maybe you need to raise it up a few inches.  It should be at eye level.  Is it?

9.   Table Top Lamp – Daver can’t shut up about this lamp.  He’s in my office right now and I’m saying “shut up about that lamp!” but he won’t.  He loves it that much.  If our Director of Product Management, Daver Williams loves something that much, you can be sure you should own it.  He says the light is PERFECT for working in the office in daylight.  Whatever, Daver.  Let’s all buy one and see if he’s right. ‘k?

10.    Electric Foot Warmer Mat – I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t like to have warm tootsies while you’re working?  It’s got to be more healthy than having cold, wet feet.  The warming mat fits snuggly under your desk.  Waterproof.

 Pick up one of each and you’ll be covered.

Thanks for your business.  We wouldn’t mind a bit if you would refer us to your friends. 

-v

AllegroMedical.com carries a huge – and I mean ‘hundreds and hundreds huge’  – inventory of Daily Living Aids designed to help everyone — disabled or not — get things done. 

Stop struggling!  Check out these  nifty kitchen gadgets and eating aids.  You might find a product to help you, or someone you love, make life a little easier.  Ahhh. . .

Kitchen Aids

New!  iTouchless products - Check out these stylish, ‘kitchen-forward’ 21st century gizmos including plastic bag resealers, electronic automatic pepper mill & salt grinder, paper towel dispenser, automatic water dispenser, automatic soap dispenser, recycle bins, trash cans and more.  Great gifts. 

High Chair with Adjustable Arms - Sit up high while working at the kitchen counter or sink with this adjustable height chair.   Weight capacity is 300 lbs. 

  Jar Openers – I use these all the time.   We have a bunch to choose from, including the Hot Hand Protector and Jar Opener.  It’s a hot pad that doubles as a jar opener.  Neat, huh.

Easy-Grip Knives & Utensils - Perfect for weak hands and wrists.  These lightweight, dishwasher safe tools have an ergonimcally angled handle to keep your wrist and hand in a natural position.  Besides the knives, we have a grater, utensil rack, carving fork, cheese slicer, spatula and kitchen shears.  Get them all!

The Rocking “T” Knife is our most popular rocker knife.  It allows easy cutting for people with a weak grasp or the use of only one hand.  Get the carrying case so you can take it with you when you eat out.

See more kitchen knives.

    Paring Boards galore.  There aren’t your everyday paring and cutting boards.  Oh no.  They have special doo hickies that stick up and hold your food in place so you don’t have to chase it around before you cut it.  Some of them even have suction cups on the bottom (so you don’t have to chase the board too!). 

   Scrub brush for one handed use.  It suctions to the counter so you can clean your vegetables, your dishes, your fingernails or even your dentures!  Please don’t use the same one to clean everything, though.  Please.

  Pan Holder - Keep your pans from spinning while you stir with one hand.  Folds for easy storage in your drawer.

 Push/Pull Helper – If you have arthritic hands or weak hands, or short arms, or a bad back, use this nifty stick to push or pull oven racks or hot dishes. How about using it if you don’t want to get burned?  That’s when I would use it. 

Folding Shopping Cart – Okay, not technically a kitchen gadget, but they sell like hot cakes.  Sturdy, super affordable and cool looking, you’ll whisk goods to and fro for years to come with this baby.   Red or black.  Get both.

Eating Aids

  The Scooper Bowls with Suction are our most popular eating aids.  They stick to the table like glue and they are curved on the sides to allow you to get the food onto your fork instead of dumping it over the sides.  Great for children and adults.  See more scoop plates.

  Cutlery – From forks to sporks, angled , built-up, left-handed or comfort-grip, we have what it takes to get the food from your plate to your mouth in the most efficient way possible.  See all Eating Utensils.

Bibs – Keep your clothes clean with these mealtime protectors.  Great for both the eaters and the feeders.

  All eating and no drinking makes Jack a dry boy, so don’t forget your drinking aids!  Drinking straws, nosey cups, spill-proof Kennedy cups, they’re all here.

Is there someone in your life that could use a little help becoming more independent in the kitchen, or at the dining table?  Think about it and have fun poking around our Daily Living Aids sub-categories.  There is a LOT to see.

Other than that, I hope you have a fabulous day.  Thanks again for being an Allegro customer!

-v