The condition of carpal tunnel syndrome can ruin your bodybuilding program because of sensations of discomfort, tingling, numbness and weakness of the hand. This syndrome is caused when the median nerve, which runs down the forearm and into the hand, experiences pressure in the slender opening of bone and tendon called the carpal tunnel.

Your fitness routine may aggravate the tendons which run through the carpal tunnel. Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) to these tendons, such as repeated tight gripping of weights or bars, can cause the tendons to swell pinching the nerve and leading to the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.

You may first notice aching in the forearms and hands, but attribute it to your workout routine. Your sleep may be disrupted by numbness or tingling in your hands, especially your dominant hand. Gradually, daytime numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers (but not the little finger which is not supplied by the median nerve) may occur followed by a decrease in grip strength. Pain, a 'pins and needle' feeling may become constant along with hand weakness and clumsiness.

Sites such as bodybuilding.com aid the athlete heal injuries and provide a means of support for any issues regarding your health. If you have questions about carpal tunnel syndrome, check out their injury recovery and prevention forum.

But, anyone who has implications of Repetitive Strain Injury or carpal tunnel syndrome should be sure to check with their physician to talk about treatments that are available and to help avoid the progression of the disease. Holding back on some of the activities that lead to the RSI's can cut down on these symptoms. Also, increasing flexibility by flexing the hands and wrists, together with applying ice to the wrists, can help reduce the symptoms. The ice should be applied for from fifteen to twenty minutes and repeated two or three times each day. This should help to let the pain or swelling subside.

You may be prescribed medication such as ibuprofen or another NSAID, which will help reduce the pain and inflammation. A corticosteroid injection in the wrist may be necessary in extreme cases. A splint may be used to support the hand and wrist, and prevent extreme movement, which could make the condition worse. This splint may be worn overnight to help prevent pressure being placed on the wrist due to your sleeping position. In some rare cases, surgery may be required in order to repair and release the nerve compression. If all else fails, this may be the best way to ease the pain and prevent further irreparable damage to your hand.