Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome be caused by something as pleasant as gardening? Well, here's a little history.
  A "syndrome" is a collection of symptoms.
  "Symptoms" are the pain, numbness, weakness or tingling you feel in your hand and arm.
There are a lot of muscles that can cause symptoms in your hand, fingers and arms.
  And, what do we use when we garden?  Yes!  Muscles! So, it's possible that you could actually get a diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by gardening.
  Maybe that's what you have or maybe it's muscle strain or repetitive use injury.
  But the good news is:  If gardening is what's causing your symptoms that means muscles are involved.
  And muscles are treatable!  (I love muscles!) And, it's not just the muscles around your "carpal tunnel" either!  Your symptoms can come from your upper back, chest and neck, too.
  There are other causes but muscles tie into the most common causes.
Here are six tips to prevent hand, wrist and arm pain from gardening: 1.
  Pull weeds straight up rather than twisting your wrist.
2.
  Pad your tool handles.
  It's easier and takes less muscle to hold your tools when they are padded.
3.
  Wear rubber gloves or gloves with gripper palms and you won't have to work as hard.
4.
  If you switch positions frequently, it will help prevent muscle overuse.
5.
  Take lots of breaks to "shake out" your hands at your sides.
  Also, move your hands and arms in the opposite movement of the ones you use the most.
6.
  If you're having a lot of soreness or other symptoms after your garden work, use ice packs or rub ice on and around painful areas.
  Ice is a pain reducer and anti-inflammatory; ice reduces swelling.