Jobs for People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A dive into jobs for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, and what can you do if you are suffering from this condition? Carpal tunnel syndrome can be very debilitating and cause a lot of pain or even mental distraction, so finding suitable jobs can take a lot of the pressure away and create a more enjoyable working experience.

How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Impacts Work

There are different ways that carpal tunnel syndrome can impact work. The most common way is through pain, which can make it difficult to concentrate on tasks or even complete them. Other symptoms such as numbness in the hands or arms, tingling sensations and weakness can also interfere with work.

This means that jobs that require repetitive motions, awkward wrist positions, fine motor skills or a lot of typing can be difficult to do if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have to do precise work with your hands, it can cause pain and your condition might impact accuracy.

Finding an Accessible Employer

Many employers will be willing to make changes to help you. On top of that, if you develop the condition while in a position, your employer must make reasonable adjustments. This is an important part of your workplace rights.

For example, if you find typing difficult, your employer could look into dictation software to assist.

That said, it is still important that you consider whether you can continue in a position, and you may want to opt for a career change.

Jobs That Are Good for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Some jobs are less strenuous on the hands and wrists than others. If you’re looking for a job that is good for carpal tunnel syndrome, consider some of the following:

• Jobs in customer service where you are using verbal communication rather than relying on constant typing or working with your hands.
• Jobs where you are able to work from home, if possible. This makes it easier to take breaks as required.
• Quality control jobs where you’re mainly making visual inspections.
• Social work and other work that is done directly with people. This means you don’t need to type too much.

There are a lot of roles that can be suitable, or made suitable with the addition of some technology. You should follow your passion and interests as much as possible to ensure you end up in a role you enjoy.

Can Work Make CTS Worse?

In some cases, work can be the cause of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or making it worse. If your condition is already causing pain or problems, doing a lot of the same tasks at work can aggravate them and make it difficult to continue working. This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor about what jobs might be suitable for you. Also, talk to your employer about adjustments that can be made. It could also be the case that you qualify for grants and disability benefits.

Finding a Job For CTS

You should start by looking for a job with an accessible employer, having someone with a strong understanding of disabilities and working with people with CTS and other conditions can make all the difference. Our disability jobs board is an ideal place to search for a job.