Carpal Tunnel Q&A

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an overuse injury caused by the compression of the median nerve in your wrist. If you don’t address the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in its early stages, the condition can lead to permanent challenges like hand dysfunction or a loss of sensation in your hands and fingers.

Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome develop the condition because of a few combined factors, including:

  • Their wrist anatomy
  • Use of wrist positions that flex or extend the joint extensively
  • Repetitive use of their hands
  • Pregnancy-related swelling
  • Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or hormone imbalances

Your provider at Hand Therapy Treatment and Education, LLP, helps you explore the possible causes leading to your carpal tunnel syndrome based on your medical history and lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes various symptoms affecting the hand and wrist. Most symptoms develop gradually and aren’t linked to a specific injury like a sprain or fracture.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you can experience:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Burning
  • Pain
  • Weakness
  • Clumsiness
  • Occasional radiating shocklike sensations

You might notice your symptoms flare up when you go to bed at night, especially if you tend to sleep with your wrists bent. Moving or shaking your hands might offer temporary relief from pain or burning.

How can hand therapy improve carpal tunnel syndrome?

Hand Therapy Treatment and Education Center, LLP, offers personalized rehabilitation for carpal tunnel syndrome to ease or eliminate your symptoms. Your provider teaches you about your hand and wrist anatomy and how occupational therapy can restore function to the affected hand and wrist.

They create your personalized care plan based on your symptoms and lifestyle. The plan can involve:

  • Custom splinting and other immobilization
  • Activity changes
  • Exercises to reduce pressure on the median nerve
  • Treatments that use tools or physical agents (for example, heat, cold, or energy)
  • Pain management strategies

With detailed occupational therapy and education, you might be able to avoid surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome (called carpal tunnel release).

Call Hand Therapy Treatment and Education Center, LLP, today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, how it starts, and how to manage its symptoms.