Posted on 7th Oct 2011 @ 2:43 PM

You've done everything you can to reduce those carpal tunnel flare-ups. You've seen a doctor, or a physical therapist. You've done exercises. You've outfitted your desk with a keyboard tray and swapped your old broken down seat for a fancy new ergonomic chair. And you're feeling better! So you should be able to go back to your old way of doing things, right?

Think again. Unfortunately, for carpal tunnel sufferers, even the best treatment and prevention aren't enough. If you want to avoid pain, and we're just assuming you do, there are a few things you should never, ever do. Here are five of the biggies.

1. Typing on the fly.

Increased use of mobile phones, tablets, and laptop computers has made us a nation of people who write emails from the couch and check Google from the bus stop. If your wrists are already hurting, avoid these ergonomically unsound behaviors.

2. Playing through the pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is scary for anyone, but it's especially terrifying to musicians, whose art depends on spending long hours making the same motions over and over again. If you play music, and start to feel the first twinges of carpal tunnel, don't ignore your symptoms. Get help before your joints are seriously damaged.

3. Downward facing dog.

This beloved yoga pose is great for strengthening the back, stretching the shoulders, and boosting energy. It's not so great for carpal tunnel sufferers. The pose compresses the median nerve in the wrist, causing numbness and tingling in the fingers.

4. Slumping.

We tend to think of carpal tunnel syndrome as being caused by poor typing habits or faulty equipment, but the truth is that your posture is every bit as important as the position of your hands on the keyboards. This is one time when your mother was right: Sitting up straight is the best way to avoid tingly wrists.

5. Smoking.

Not that you needed another reason not to light up, but here's one anyway: Smoking reduces blood flow to the median nerve, which is the same nerve that's causing those zapping sensations and numbness in your hands.