While waitressing, I felt such pain in my wrists and hands that I couldn't even pour a cup of coffee. My doctor says I have carpal tunnel syndrome and recommended surgery. Is there any way to avoid an operation?

Once a physician examines you to make sure there are no other medical causes of your wrist and hand pain, other tests may be used to check the condition of the nerve in the wrist. Sometimes diagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies (the nerve is stimulated with electrical impulses to see how fast the nerve sends the message) and CT (computed tomography) scans are performed. The results of these tests help the physician know surgery is needed or whether a more conservative approach such as stretching and other exercises prescribed by a physical therapist would work. If you have not had any of these tests, ask your physician for more information about your particular situation.