Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common gripe in pregnancy for many women. It's generally caused by swelling, weight gain and resulting nerve compression in the body during pregnancy, but will be exacerbated if you spend many hours of the day typing at a computer. You'll recognize carpal tunnel by those nagging pins and needles in fingers and wrists, arm aches and a feeling of loss of thumb control. While it can strike at any time, it is common especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and can worsen at night.
While some stretching exercises, like those created by downward facing dog may help to alleviate carpal tunnel pain in pregnancy, listen to your body during your prenatal yoga practice. If you feel pain or sensitivity in the wrists and arms, try pressing deeper into the fingers, and placing a rolled towel under your palms while in the pose. Dolphin pose, which essentially looks like downward facing dog but with the forearms flat onto the mat, is also a downward facing dog alternative pose that can relieve wrist pressure.
In positions where weight is evenly centered (like cat and cow stretches done on all fours), make fists with the hands instead of placing palms flat on the mat.
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While some stretching exercises, like those created by downward facing dog may help to alleviate carpal tunnel pain in pregnancy, listen to your body during your prenatal yoga practice. If you feel pain or sensitivity in the wrists and arms, try pressing deeper into the fingers, and placing a rolled towel under your palms while in the pose. Dolphin pose, which essentially looks like downward facing dog but with the forearms flat onto the mat, is also a downward facing dog alternative pose that can relieve wrist pressure.
In positions where weight is evenly centered (like cat and cow stretches done on all fours), make fists with the hands instead of placing palms flat on the mat.
RELATED ARTICLES
PRENATAL YOGA AND HEARTBURN
PRENATAL YOGA POSES TO RELIEVE ROUND LIGAMENT PAIN
