What is Carpal Tunnel:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the median nerve — is compressed as it travels through the wrist.
In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are important.
Common treatments have always includes conservative care and surgery. A recent article in Physical Therapy now shows over 4 years surgery had no better outcomes than conservative care. The study concluded,
“In the long term, manual therapy including desensitization maneuvers of the central nervous system resulted in similar outcomes and similar surgery rates compared to surgery in women with CTS. Both interventions were combined with a tendon/nerve gliding exercise program at home.”1
What are conservative options:
- Examination first by a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist
Evidence based care includes:
- Splinting – This is utilized at night to avoid numbness and is also used during activities such as work or sport
- Exercise and mobilzation – exercises for the forearm and carpal bones/wrist including Tendon/nerve Gliding exercises
- Low- Level Laser Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Soft Tissue techniques – ART, Myofascial release and trigger point therapy
Book an appointment to speak to one of our clinicians at www.rehabclinic.ca
1. Manual Therapy Versus Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: 4-Year Follow-up From a Randomized Controlled TrialCésar Fernández-de-las-Peñas,José L Arias-Buría,Joshua A Cleland,Juan A Pareja,Gustavo Plaza-Manzano,Ricardo Ortega-SantiagoPhysical Therapy, pzaa150,https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa15 06 August 2020