Dr. Slava Shut

Technology has unlocked so many wonderful things in our lives. It’s easy to forget how things used to be not that long ago. When I was younger, we had to go to libraries to study, for instance. There was no internet as we know it today. Cellular phones were around, but they weren’t nearly as useful.

Now you can still go to the library, but you don’t really have to. There’s more information at your fingertips at any given time as long as you have a smartphone and a connection to the internet.

But technology doesn’t just solve problems. Inevitably along the way, technology can cause a few problems for users, too.

Welcome to Topic Thursday, where we discuss something specifically related to business, finance, or life in general. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the physical issues that certain device users suffer from. Many are preventable, some are correctable, but some might eventually require surgery to fix.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, is compressed or squeezed as it passes through the wrist. It  causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is surrounded by bones and ligaments. When the median nerve is compressed, it can cause symptoms.

If you spend a lot of time at a computer throughout the day, be especially careful about discomfort in your hands, arms, neck, and back. Ignoring some of the telltale signs of future problems might seem like a great way to boost your productivity in the moment, but it’s not a good idea. Sooner or later, discomfort turns to pain, and if you keep going, pain can turn into injury.

What to do if you think you have CTS

The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can look a lot like the symptoms of other disorders. If you’ve been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and you’re sure you have it, always follow the directions of your primary care physician. But if you’re just noticing some of the symptoms and you’re not sure if you have CTS, you might benefit from trying non-surgical treatments first.

Often, what might feel like carpal tunnel syndrome is really the result of repetition and pressure on the arms and wrists. Double crush syndrome can cause pain and discomfort similar to descriptions of carpal tunnel syndrome, in fact. But double crush syndrome treatment often requires mechanical corrections, not surgery.

Back Pain

The back is the main support structure of the body. It’s not even one distinct bone; the spine is a network of vertebrae that’s responsible for the alignment of the body. When there’s something wrong with your back, it can cause you to have problems almost anywhere else.

While injuries can certainly play a role, back pain can often be caused by chronically bad posture. If you slouch in your chair with your head at odd angles at work, you can expect that your body’s alignment might be a little off after a few hours. 

The muscles that connect your back to your arms, legs and head are vulnerable to problems when you have bad posture. Imagine a tree standing upright: it has a sturdy trunk with thick, mature roots. It has plenty of branches, but the trunk is strong enough, and in the right position to support them.

But if you were to take those same branches and put them all on one side of that tree, there would eventually be strain on it. Over time, the tree might start to lean, or even snap at the trunk. When you have bad posture, it can cause problems in your back like stacking weight on one side of a tree. So sit up straight if you’re in the office all day!

It’s important to understand what’s going on with your body. It’s not just about your personal comfort level, although that’s extremely important, too. If you’re unable to reach your highest potential in business, for your family, or anywhere else in life due to physical pain, you have to prioritize solving that problem for yourself.

My patients don’t suffer; they thrive. If you’re not sure why, but you’re experiencing pain, visit my clinic and I’ll be happy to be a part of your health and recovery story. Contact my team now to schedule a 1-on-1 with me and start your journey to a happier, pain-free life!