What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually develops due to injuries, overuse and repetitive flexion of the wrist. Those movements may cause inflammation of median nerve and tendons in the wrist’s narrow passageway called carpal tunnel. The pressure on the entrapped median nerve cause pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of the hand.

As the carpal tunnel syndrome develops slowly, usually the pain, pins and needles sensation starts at night and when you wake up. With the progression of inflammation, the weakness in the thumb and first two fingers with the pain and tingling sensation starts to occur more frequently during daily activities for example when driving, holding various objects such as a phone or a glass of water, etc. impacting you daily functioning.

Some conditions (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid dysfunction…), direct injury to the wrist such as fracture or sprain of the wrist (sport related injuries, falls on the outstretched hand…), work related injuries (frequent use of vibrating hand tools), playing music instruments (piano, guitar, violin…) increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Over the time, the carpal tunnel syndrome can cause radiating pain up the arm and shoulder. If not treated, it can cause the wasting (atrophy) of hand muscles and loss of sensation on the thumb side of the hand

Treatment and prevention

Our physio and occupational therapists will develop the best and specific treatment plan for you to reduce your pain and improve movement and functional use of the hand.

• We use conservative, non-invasive approach in treating the carpal tunnel syndrome including physical manual therapy, dry needling with or without electro stimulation, shockwave therapy and low-level laser therapy.
• We will develop a specific set of stretching and strengthening exercises for you to prevent muscle atrophy, improve functional movement and reduce pain and numbness.
• We will recommend a resting splint if needed as well as advise on minor aids you can use at home or at work to help minimize aggravation with daily activities
• We will help you to develop and incorporate rest throughout your daily routine to relive pressure on median nerve during acute phase
• We will teach you how you can prevent the recurring median nerve and tissue inflammation with modifying tasks that cause carpal tunnel syndrome, proper ergonomic set up at home or at work and will create a plan for your regular preventative stretching exercises.

The early intervention of carpal tunnel syndrome gives the best outcome.