Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that slowly impacts your life and prevents you from doing daily chores. Roughly, 4.5 million Canadians suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and tension neck syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common peripheral nerve disorders which occur due to repetitive use of the hands.
In the past, the treatment options were limited to either surgery or pain medications. But thanks to advanced medical science, a far better treatment solution is there for carpal tunnel syndrome – laser therapy. However, laser therapy can mask your pain for a few hours, and if symptoms return, you may need to consider surgical intervention.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Start?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs because of overuse injury and repetitive hand work, and people experience this problem when they perform the same hand movements frequently. Usually, people who type continuously or perform repetitive hands-on work are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome than others. It may also occur due to hobbies that involve knitting and using smart phones. There are other risk factors as well, including but not limited to.
- Hormonal changes
- Family history
- Wrist injury
- Arthritis
What is Carpal Tunnel syndrome?
In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve of the hand, which travels through the wrists, becomes compressed or pinched, which causes a tingling sensation, numbness and pain in the forearm and hand. In most cases, the symptoms worsen over time, but if you don’t treat it in the beginning, the condition may lead to permanent dysfunction of the hand.
For example, you may experience weakness and loss of sensation in the fingers. Treating this condition with laser therapy will help you avoid surgery and permanent problems in the long run.
How Does Laser Therapy Help You with Carpal tunnel syndrome?
Laser therapy is an advanced treatment that promotes nerve regeneration and reduces the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This treatment is known as low-level laser therapy, cold laser therapy, photobiomodulation therapy, and red light therapy.
Low-level laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment and doesn’t create any heat response in the tissue. It is one of the most effective solutions because it offers a healing effect throughout the median nerve that runs from the neck, shoulder, elbow, and into the wrist where it is usually compressed to cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Instead of giving a heating response, laser therapy in Calgary promotes tissue growth and reduces inflammation. In addition, it creates energy within the mitochondria and increases the production level of ATP. Doctors in Calgary use light wavelengths to penetrate the body tissue and rapidly repair the nerve. Once the nerves in your wrists and hands are healed, communication between the brain and your hand starts again, and your symptoms will disappear.
What are the Advantages of Using Laser Therapy for CTC?
This non-invasive treatment offers several advantages to combat carpal tunnel syndrome quickly. The following are,
- Increase metabolic activity
- Repair the lost cells
- Reduce pain in your wrist and hands
- Enhance anti-inflammatory response
- Stimulate the nerve functions
How Many Sessions Do You Have to Take to Reduce Carpal tunnel syndrome?
The number of laser therapy sessions for CTC varies depending on the individual’s response to treatment and the severity of the condition. Usually, you may have to take 10 to 15 sessions, at least 3 to 5 times per week, to get the best out of this treatment. Since everybody is different, their requirements are different; therefore, it would be best to consult an professional.
Does Laser Therapy Really Work?
A 2017 study found that 10 sessions of laser therapy reduced pain and improved function in people with carpal tunnel syndrome after surgery. Remember that laser therapy in Calgary is not a permanent cure for carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can be an effective way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you are considering laser therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome, talk to your doctor or a qualified therapist to discuss your needs and expectations.
Lead Life Pain-Free!
We understand that surgery is a huge step, and most people get scared of it, which is perfectly normal. If laser therapy can relieve your pain from carpal tunnel syndrome with a few sessions, then why should you opt for surgery unless it’s the only option? If you want to live without worry and pain, contact us at Rhema-Gold Physiotherapy in Calgary.
