Carpal Tunnel Physical Therapy

More than eight million Americans are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome each year. This makes it one of the most common neuropathic causes of chronic pain in the US.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, takes its name from the carpal tunnel, a narrow tube of ligaments and bones at the base of the hand. It houses the median nerve as well as the tendons that allow us to bend our fingers.

CTS occurs when the swelling of these tendons puts pressure on the median nerve. This results in weakness, numbness, or pain in the hands and wrist that can sometimes even extend up the arm. At Mid-County Physical Therapy, patients suffering from CTS can find relief from these symptoms with the help of an individualized treatment plan tailored to meet their specific needs.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome, though? There are numerous contributing factors, including injury, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and more.

Additionally, studies show that women are up to three times more likely to develop CTS. Certain types of medication have also been linked to the condition.

Most often, CTS is related to excessive repetitive movements that overextend the wrist, such as typing on a keyboard or moving a computer mouse. This had led the US Department of Labor to label CTS as one of the chief occupational hazards of the workplace, stating that it disables employees in epidemic proportions.

Signs & Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The symptoms of CTS aren’t always immediately noticeable, most often exacerbating gradually over time. Telltale signs that you may be developing CTS include the following:

• Chronic or recurring wrist pain, 
• Difficulty holding things or moving your fingers
• Tingling or numbness in the hand or fingers
• An electric shock-like sensation in the fingers

In the early stages of CTS, many patients report feeling that their hands or fingers were “falling asleep” with increasing frequency, especially at night. This is due to the way we position our arms and bodies while sleeping, as well as how tissue fluid is redistributed when muscles are inactive.

Patients with CTS may also experience an “electric shock” feeling traveling from the wrist all the way up the arms. This is especially common when holding a steering wheel, book, newspaper, or phone. Although some people report that shaking their hands provides relief, this feeling can become more persistent over time.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Wrist Pain

Depending on the severity, CTS may require nothing more than simple lifestyle changes. Or, it could require a type of surgery wherein doctors physically enlarge the patient’s carpal tunnel in order to ease pressure on the median nerve.

The best way to avoid necessitating surgery for CTS is by engaging in carpal tunnel physical therapy. This is especially useful when a person’s job makes it difficult to reduce how much they use their wrists each day.

Physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome utilizes a number of different approaches to comprehensively treat both the symptoms and causes of CTS.

During your physical therapy session, your therapist will help you perform gentle stretching exercises to improve your wrist and finger flexibility. Strengthening exercises will allow you to build up your wrist muscles, while nerve-gliding exercises will make it easier for your median nerve to move within the carpal tunnel.

Your physical therapist will also give you advice about things you can do at home to relieve wrist pain and reduce the harmful effects of overuse. Your physical therapist may utilize cold or heat treatments to stimulate healing. They may also recommend wearing a wrist brace at night to relieve pressure on the median nerve while you sleep.

Schedule Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Now

If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, or suspect that you may have developed the condition, then don’t wait. Waiting to get treatment for CTS can lead to an exacerbation of your symptoms, which could, in turn, result in the need for surgical intervention.

Make an appointment with Mid-County Physical Therapy to meet with an experienced healthcare professional who can evaluate the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome. We will put together a customized treatment plan to help you get relief from pain and restore strength and flexibility to your hands.

We look forward to meeting you!