Reddit reviews Treat Your Own Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Treatment and Prevention Strategies for Individuals, Therapists, and Employers

You can totally fix this. Resting is not the answer.
Gentle stretching and deep tissue massage is needed - and you can do both to yourself.

Get this book - Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries - Sharon Butler.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572240393/

I got over 100 books when I was dealing with hand problems. This was the only one I needed. The author has a website here and you can buy a more indepth program from her, but the book should be all you need. http://selfcare4rsi.com

Here is another book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1457525771/
I have not yet seen this, but I have others by this author.

Self-massage may also be very helpful. A device called the Armaid is useful for that: http://armaid.com

Check out Youtube for lots of videos. There was no Youtube back when I went through this. This is easy to fix, but may take some time for you to figure out what to do. Do not go to a doctor, do not have surgery. If you need help, go to a massage therapist or a Rolfer or a physical therapist.

Actually reading back over your post, you most likely have a lot more going on than just hand issues. Same stuff applies - you just need to find and remove deep chronic muscular tension. There is a self-help revolution going on right now - Kelly Starrett is showing people how to effectively Rolf themselves using lacrosse balls and other tools (foam rollers). Get a lacrosse ball ($3) and start in. His books are all good - his new one is Deskbound -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1628600586/
Check out his youtube channel -
https://www.youtube.com/user/sanfranciscocrossfit/

If this is all too overwhelming, just find a good massage therapist, ask around or try a few. But they do cost some money. Self-treatment is FREE.