Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment

Do you ever feel like you need to “shake out” your hands or wrists because they’re bothering you? Do you frequently experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your wrists or hands? Has your grip strength weakened? All of these signs could point to carpal tunnel syndrome–but carpal tunnel syndrome treatment through physiotherapy can provide relief.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively common condition, particularly among people who work with their hands, such as cashiers, janitors, or assembly line workers. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand, becomes entrapped in a structure in the wrist called the carpal tunnel.

Many people opt for surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome, but physiotherapy actually plays a crucial role in treating the condition–and may even help you delay or avoid surgery. The team at Rhema-Gold Physiotherapy can help you manage your carpal tunnel syndrome so you can continue using your hands at work, at play, and at home.

Keep reading to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome treatment and symptoms. You can also schedule an appointment at our clinic to get started!

How Do I Know If I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Signs and Symptoms

The sooner you can begin treating carpal tunnel syndrome, the better outcomes you’ll experience. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help you get the care you need. Here’s what to look for:

• Symptoms that occur in the hand and fingers, particularly the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Pain
• Tingling (pins and needles sensation)
• Numbness
• Nighttime symptoms
• Hand weakness

Several factors contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive hand movements are a major one, which is why carpal tunnel syndrome is such a common workplace-related condition. Other causes include wrist injuries, arthritis, and fluid retention during pregnancy. Women are much more likely than men to develop the condition, too.

What to Expect from Physiotherapy Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When you visit a physiotherapist for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment, you can expect a thorough and personalized approach. Here’s a quick outline of what the process typically involves:

Step 1: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Your physiotherapist will evaluate your symptoms and daily activities in detail. We’ll also take a health history and assess your hand and wrist function, which will give us a complete picture of the severity of your condition.

Step 2: A Personalized Treatment Program

With the help of the information we gathered during your evaluation, we’ll create a tailored treatment plan to address your specific needs, focusing on managing your symptoms and slowing their progression. We offer several interventions to help manage carpal tunnel syndrome:

Manual Therapy

• Several hands-on techniques, such as wrist joint mobilizations and manipulation of the hand muscles, nerves, and tendons, can help reduce pain and improve mobility.

Therapeutic Exercises

• We’ll guide you through targeted exercises to strengthen the wrist and hand muscles, reducing pain and improving overall function.

Bracing

• A personalized hand brace can help relieve pressure on your median nerve, helping to lessen your pain. While you don’t want to use a brace all the time, it can effectively manage nighttime pain or bad flare-ups.

Self Management Strategies

• We can also show you how to modify your work environment and daily activities to reduce wrist strain, making it easier to do the activities that matter most to you.

Need Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can certainly affect your quality of life–but physiotherapy can help address your symptoms, slow the condition’s progression, and help you restore function to your hands.

Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment with Rhema-Gold Physiotherapy today!