Are Carpal Tunnel & Horseback Riding Related?

From Dr. Z - Carpal tunnel syndrome specialist

Does Horseback Riding Cause Carpal Tunnel?

Do you ride horseback a lot? Do your hands hurt - especially while trying to sleep? These might be signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. But while carpal tunnel & horseback riding are definitely related, other disorders could explain these symptoms.


Actually, many people who work with their hands all day experience hand pain at some point. But usually the problem is simply muscle fatigue or wrist tendonitis and not carpal tunnel syndrome.


This article describes how to tell the difference.




Table of Contents

  • Why horseback riders get carpal tunnel
  • Maybe it's just tired hands?
  • Difference between tired hands, tendonitis & carpal tunnel
  • How to eliminate carpal tunnel symptoms
  • Night Bracing
  • Rest
  • Stretching Exercises
  • Myofascial Massage
  • Summary

Why horseback riders get carpal tunnel

Handling horses requires hoisting saddles, gripping lines, pulling ropes, etc. And when controlling an animal that weighs about 1,500 pounds, you need a tight grip on the reins. The seemingly harmless act of riding for pleasure usually requires maintaining a grip on the reigns for hours at a time.


Getting hand pain from horseback riding is usually due to prolonged gripping. This is abnormal to the human physiology. In essence, prolonged gripping stresses the flexor tendons - sometimes beyond their limits. These tendons are designed by nature to grip and release. But not too quickly or with force, at least not repeatedly and for hours on end.


Tight prolonged gripping is a definite recipe for getting carpal tunnel syndrome. It is one of several harmful hand activities which are known to cause this disorder. That's why carpal tunnel is more likely to occur in hairdressers, graphic artists, dental hygienists and guitar players (all are high risk occupations for carpal tunnel). 

hands on reins

Maybe it's just tired hands?

Carpal tunnel is the leading cause of hand pain in the United States today, after arthritis. In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in about 5% of the population. And the rate is increasing.


But hand pain doesn't necessarily mean you have carpal tunnel. Absolutely any activity where you grip something for prolonged periods of time can lead to hand pain. It’s especially the case when you grip with force, relax, and grip again, over and over. Doctors call this repetitive stress (strain) injury or RSI.


So yes, the hand pain from horseback riding can be the onset of carpal tunnel. But it can also be tired hands or wrist tendonitis. The two latter conditions are much easier to treat (usually with just a few days of rest) than carpal tunnel.

Difference between tired hands, tendonitis and carpal tunnel

where carpal tunnel is felt

There's a way to tell the difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and tired hands or wrist tendonitis. Any one of these disorders may appear as pain, soreness, or burning.


However, the location of those symptoms is key. Study the illustration. When symptoms are distributted like this, it's a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome and not tired hands or tendonitis. 


Also with carpal tunnel, usually your thumb and forefinger are most affected. But your little finger NEVER has these symptoms. And finally, carpal tunnel symptoms are generally worse while sleeping. 

How to eliminate carpal tunnel symptoms

If you actually have carpal tunnel, horseback riding probably brought it on. Happily, there are many good non-surgical carpal tunnel treatments. Most are so effective that pain will never bother you again.


The most successful way equestrians (or anybody else) can eliminate carpal tunnel syndrome is to use one (or a combination of) the following methods: Night Bracing, Rest, Stretching Exercises, Myofascial Massage.

Night Bracing

w

Brace your hand while you sleep. NEVER wear a wrist brace during the daytime if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Doing so only makes your hand subconsciously fight the brace in addition to doing its regular work. That makes the problem much worse. 


And make sure your you use a "certified carpal tunnel brace". These braces do not have a palmar spine. If you unconsciously bend your hand backward while sleeping, a palmar spine will push into your carpal tunnel, increasing pressure and making the disorder worse.

Rest 

female hand resting on velvet

Rest is nature's remedy for just about any disorder. Indeed, we rest because pain is how nature tells us to stop doing what's causing the problem. 


Therefore, rest your hand as often as you can. Even short "mini-breaks" are useful. Never maintain a constant grip on ropes or a rein. Be especially careful to avoid a lot of grip-and-release activities without resting your hands in between. During your rest periods, add stretching exercises (see below).

Stretching Exercises

If you have hand pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, horseback riding is probably the reason for the problem. But one of the key ways to solve the problem is with stretching exercises which are dedicated to your flexor tendons' health.


Exercise and stretch your fingers as often as you can. Targeted carpal tunnel stretching exercises stretch your fingers, hand and forearm. That means the entire length of each flexor tendon feels the effect. Regular stretching exercises are perhaps the best way to avoid having hand pain when you stress your hands.

Myofascial Massage

doctor performs myofascial massage on the forearm

Massage is an ancient therapy. And it's effects on the body can be miraculous. Using massage for carpal tunnel syndrome provides particularly good results.


The specific type of massage that works best is called myofascial release massage. Use this massage on your wrist and forearm as frequently as you can. Have a partner dig their thumbs into your forearm, just below your wrist crease. Then, make circular motions for about 15 minutes. This promotes fluid drainage and blood flow. If you cannot use a partner, try using the CarpalRx instead. It performs the same myofascial massage therapy automatically.

Summary

Carpal tunnel, horseback riding, and hand pain go (no pun intended) "hand in hand". But so does muscle fatigue and wrist tendonitis. These three disorders are common in people who use their hands a lot. However, you can enjoy your horse without the pain by using four distinct therapies: night bracing, rest, stretching exercises, and myofascial massage. These therapies will help you avoid pain, and in most cases even reverse the disorder.

About

Biography: Dr. Z - CarpalRx Medical Director & author

Dr. Maik Zannakis (Dr. Z) 

Medical Director at the CarpalRx


Dr. Z is an acclaimed medical scientist renowned for his expertise in carpal tunnel syndrome and soft tissue disorders. With over 40 years of experience, he is credited with hundreds of medical journal publications and hundreds more web articles about carpal tunnel syndrome. After inventing the CarpalRx, Dr. Z became the go-to expert for carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist tendonitis. His opinions, inventions, and personalized care have distinguished Dr. Z as a trusted leader in this growing field. Read full Bio


Email: dr.z@carplarx.com

Phone: 800-450-6118