Physical Therapy for Carpal TunnelRaleigh-Durham, Fayetteville & Surrounding North Carolina Cities
The best treatment for carpal tunnel is typically physical therapy. With thorough testing, your physical therapist will determine the cause of your problem, including looking at other areas that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Your therapist will lay out a plan that will address the neck, shoulders, upper back, and the wrist if carpal tunnel syndrome is your problem. Your PT will also suggest stopping activities that create pain and numbness to allow the wrist to become less inflamed.
Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common, impacting three million people in the United States annually. No matter the severity, symptoms are caused by nerve constriction at the wrist. The median nerve supplies the thumb, index, and middle finger and these digits are most often numb and tingly with carpal tunnel syndrome. Compression of this nerve occurs due to repetitive motion where the muscles of the wrist and forearm create a smaller space for the median nerve to travel. Patients who complete a lot of typing, repetitive lifting, or repetitive wrist motions are most at risk for developing symptoms.
Exercises for Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel treatment strategies vary based on the severity of symptoms. At times, surgical decompression of cutting the ligament over the wrist may be the best option to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can almost always be improved by physical therapy, regardless of having surgery. Exercises for carpal tunnel typically include neck, shoulder, and upper back exercises to increase mobility, flexibility, and stability in these areas. Other important exercises will mobilize the wrist, stretch the forearm, strengthen any weak areas and strive to prevent symptoms from returning.
When to Seek Physical Therapy Treatment
With carpal tunnel syndrome, weakness, pain, and tingling in the hand and forearm are common. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek physical therapy to address them early on. Your symptoms will tend to worsen the longer they are present. Your physical therapist at BreakThrough PT in Raleigh-Durham will address weakness and muscle function as well as suggest modifying activities to alleviate your symptoms.