If I play a LOT I notice some issues on occasion. I don’t think I have CT because I have caught myself leaning on a machine instead of standing at it. So I think my poor posture causes my issues. Correcting this goes a long way but I would be interested to see what others suggest and experience.

quit jerkin it

Have you seen a doctor and were diagnosed with it? I ask because I have RSI(repetitive stress/strain injury) and it affects me terribly if I do too much of anything with the hands(video games, pinball, golf, programming, fixing pins etc). Rest and moderation are by far the best thing for me. Take breaks. Stretch and be active. I also change hobbies and try to stick to one or two at a time. If it's summer I'm playing golf and not too much pinball and no video games. Sometimes weeks go by and I barely play my pins. Posture plays a role. Right now I'm trying to exercise and strengthen because that seems to help. I notice that after a round of golf I feel better the next day or two after the initial soreness has worn off. I think you are already on the right track. Good luck!

I get the same issue from time to time from leaning on a standing desk at work and from playing too much pinball. I am going to guess you are taller (I'm 6'4") if your issue is aggravated playing pinball. If that's the issue, putting the pins on risers would be about the only effective solution. If you think it is partially due to your posture at work, try switching your mouse hand. You will find it really hard at first, but after a week or two you'll be fairly decent and should be able to move things back. Sorry and good luck.

Nerve conduction studies can determine if you have CT. Injections don't really work so you might need surgery. Go to a hand surgeon, not a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons do the procedure about twice a year. Hand surgeons might do 20 a week. Surgery itself is pretty minor and recovery not too bad. If possible do endoscopic releases. Almost no pain and almost no recovery time.

If you purchase wrist braces, try wearing them for sleeping only. Keeps your wrists straight so the blood flows and tendons also have a chance to become less inflamed. FYI, too many folks try wearing these during the day (while working) and it just aggravates their condition.

LOTS of people who have CT end up finding that they sleep in a way which aggravates it. This is great advice.

Also, you shouldn’t be putting any pressure on your wrists when you play - try just lightly touching the buttons with your fingertips instead of leaning any part of the hand or wrist on the machine. You’ll find you play better too

I have had both wrists operated on for carpal tunnel syndrome. My symptoms started when I was bike riding at least fifteen miles when it first started. I thought it was due to the cold weather (it was in the 40's). My fingers would go completely numb. The hand surgeon said there is a sheath that runs through the wrist where the nerves are contained. This opening becomes constricted. The operation just opens the sheath up. I haven't had a problem in the past eight years. I, also, had the operation for "trigger finger".

I was having issues with my hands way back when. I had to change my stance so I am in a sort of “Front stance” Where one leg is in front of the other with a slight bend at the knees. Now I no longer lean my hands on the pin.

This is a good point. Also, the wrist braces can be somewhat cumbersome during the day, so wearing the wrist braces at night while you sleep can be very effective (done routinely, at least for a little while).

I used wrist braces at a pinball event recently because I had sprained my wrists a couple of weeks earlier. I think it helped once I got used to them. Since then my wrists are fine but I notice soreness if I play for too long. I'm thinking about experimenting with wearing the braces when I play pinball to see if I can learn to play as well with my wrists straight.

after 6 months of acupuncture, physio etc, nerve conduction study, braces at night I finally took the step and had my operation on both wrists.

one thing I learnt is if you ignore it and at the point where you start to lose grip strength the damage will be permanent so don't leave it too long

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Damn, I wonder if I need this. Never had carpal tunnel issues before, and I've been in IT for over 15 years. However, after finally owning pins for last 45 days or so, and playing them a shit ton, I have nearly no grip strength left in my right hand. No pain, but some numbness; the loss of grip is the worse... I can't even use my thumb to push down the little tab for opening the front door, can barely use a soap dispenser, etc. Just came out of nowhere, but definitely is the pins. Going to need to take a few week break here I think and evaluate, do some PT exercises, maybe see a doctor. Thanks for sharing your story, definitely makes it more serious than "just play through it" like I have been.

Working in IT will do that for sure! It sounds like you spend alot of time with the mouse and keyboard. This can cause RSI (repetitive stress or carpal tunnel) since the mouse and keyboard cause your wrist to bend over the nerves. This happened to me and when it got really bad 2 things that helped immensely:
1) keyboard/mouse wristrest. My keyboard and mouse are on a kellyrest that has a 24 inch wide padded wristrest. my wrists stay straight when I use the keybaord/mouse. I had this at work and home. I immediately feel pain if I don't use it.
2) wrist braces. I got 2 of these to wear at night to help recover. After a couple weeks I didn't need to wear them anymore at night unless I really overstressed during the day.

Try those 2 suggestions. They worked for me. I play my pins every night now, no issue.

Cool-cool. Ya, IT, lifelong gamer, etc. never had any issue until pins lol

Coincidently I now work at an architects desk which is at a 20 degree angle or so, which just so happens to put my wrists absolutely straight when typing/mousing.

Just ordered a wrist-brace for wearing at night, and some compression gloves for during the day and/or while playing pins. Cheers!

Here is a little more to think about.

I have my 12 week after surgery meet with my surgeon today and must say hands and strength almost returned to normal or a year ago.

To help others if they are contemplating surgery or having numbness or finger tip tingling.

Here is a drawing of the hand and more so the Transverse Carpal Ligament. Basically all your nerves run in a U channel = Carpal Tunnel (which is about 6-7 bones) at the wrist and already a tight space (for nerves, veins etc) but once the Transverse Carpal Ligament gets inflamed it starts force pressure on to the nerves and veins - with the median nerve the first to feel the pressure and cause the tingling. Over time the ligament can thicken up and it won't return to normal. For me over 20 years on the tools, wire crimping, jack hammering puts alot of strain on this ligament and in my case thickened up and shortening and thumb couldn't lay flat. My specialist said once your ligament thickens up and lots of pressure goes on the nerves and veins it can be permanent damage. To prove that you have issues seek a nerve induction study which is testing nerve response to electrical impulses between 2 points on your arm and then between your palm and arm and my nerves were at 50% capacity which equaled time for surgery. Specialist also said classic causes are computer use over years, mountain bike riding, crow bar and jack hammering.

I had 2 fingers on one hand and 1 on the other that were permanent tingling 24/7 for 6 months and was starting to loose grip strength. Jack hammering was my straw that broke the camels back, but also found when playing pinball over the last 2 years that pressure on my palms when leaning on the lockdown bar while playing would accelerate the tingling as would alot of computer mouse use.

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Basically I had both hands done - key hole surgery as opposed to open cut in the palm of your wrist (muscle has to repair if you go this way) and they cut and release the ligament at the grey line. The ligament retracks 1/4 to 1/2" or 6-12mm and hands generally open up more and over the first 6 weeks the ligament regrows and rejoins but for me my hand was alot flatter as well. No tool usage or hard work for 6 weeks even opening a car door or putting on a seat belt was dam hard for the first week but now at 12 weeks out I can play pinball and the the tingling is almost 100% gone (said it could take up to 6-12 months for nerve damage of my level to heal).

hope that helps