Newsletter for Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois
Health&Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Combat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Physical Therapy
(continued inside) Do your hands, wrists, or forearms ache on a daily basis? Are your daily activities, such as typing or lifting, harsh on those areas? Do you tend to feel painful stings with arm, hand, or wrist movement? If so, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. TELEHEALTH & IN-HOME, ONE-ON-ONES Details Inside NOW OFFERING
Al Flores, PT, CFCE Director of Rehab
Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Combat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Physical Therapy
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and fractures. • Fluid retention, typically during pregnancy. • Use of medication, typically steroids. • Hormone or metabolic changes, including thyroid imbalances, pregnancy, and menopause. • Degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis. • Diabetes. Surgery vs. physical therapy: In some severe cases, surgery may be a necessary step in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, in most cases, physical therapy alone is enough to treat the condition completely. In a study titled, “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Physical Therapy or Surgery?” published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, that theory was thoroughly tested. Based on the known side effects and risks associated with surgery, in addition to the knowledge that over 1/3 of patients are unable to return to work within 8 weeks after receiving their operation, researchers decided to test whether physical therapy treatments could be used in replacement of surgical procedures. The results were overwhelmingly positive. 100 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were studied; 50 had received surgery, and 50 had received physical therapy alone. The physical therapy patients were treated with manual therapy techniques, focusing on the neck and median nerve, in addition to stretching exercises given by their physical therapists. After one month, the physical therapy patients had much better function during their daily activities than the surgery patients, and demonstrated stronger grip strength overall. At 3, 6, and 12 months, patients in both groups showed similar improvements with function and grip strength.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can cause numbness, stiffness, or pain that can radiate through your fingers, hands, wrists, or forearms. This happens when too much pressure is put on your median nerve, located at the base of your palm. Your carpal tunnel is a narrow channel, about the width of your thumb, located on your wrist under the palm. It protects the median nerve, as well as the tendons you use to bend your fingers. When excessive pressure is put on the median nerve, it causes crowding and irritation of the carpal tunnel, making it difficult for it to do its job. This, eventually, is what leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. Many people will correct this condition with surgery; however, physical therapy has been proven to be just as successful in some cases (if not more so!) At Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois, we will safely and comfortably treat your carpal tunnel symptoms. For more information, call our office today. What causes carpal tunnel syndrome? Essentially, any excessive use of the fingers, wrists, hands, or forearms can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a very common condition, affecting approximately 1 out of every 20 Americans, and accounting for almost 50% of all work-related injuries. Assembly-line work is the most common source of carpal tunnel syndrome, although those who perform jobs demanding extensive use of hand tools, keyboards, or the operation of heavy machinery are also at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Certain leisure activities have also been known to lead to this condition, such as sewing, playing string instruments, or participating in sports involving racquets. Some health conditions can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:
• Previous injury to the wrist, including strains, sprains, dislocations,
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HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP
Exercises you can do at home:
The study above proves that physical therapy works just as well, if not better, than surgery. With every surgery there are risks involved, not to mention the overwhelming expense and recovery time that comes along with it. Physical therapy is a safer, healthier, and more comfortable option for those experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. At Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois, we will employ similar manual therapy techniques to help treat your condition, in addition to any other treatments that your physical therapist deems fit after your evaluation. We will work closely with your primary care provider, in order to discover the best course of treatment for your specific needs. Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois is dedicated toward helping you achieve a pain-free life, with the least amount of discomfort possible. Why opt for surgery when there is another option that can help you return to the activities you need to much faster? Call our office today to schedule your initial consultation, and get started on your journey toward better health, pain relief, and overall contentment.
• Spiders doing pushups: Begin with your hands clasped together in prayer position. Then spread your fingers apart as far as they can go. Next, create a triangle shape by separating your palms, but keeping your fingers together still. • Shake it off: Shake out your hands, as if you have just washed them and you’re trying to air dry them. • Deep wrist stretch: Begin with your arm stretched straight in front of you, elbow locked, and fingers pointing downward. Spread your fingers slightly and use your other hand to press down and apply gentle pressure to your wrist and fingers, slowly pushing them as far as they’ll go. When you’ve reached maximum flexibility, hold this position for 20 seconds. When you’re finished, repeat with your other hand. Sources: https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2017.0503 https://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=9f3cdf74-3f6f-40ca-b641- d559302a08fc https://www.healthline.com/health/carpal-tunnel-wrist-exercises#stretch-armstrong
To learn more about how physical therapy can help your pain, give us a call today or schedule your appointment online at www.ptiipt.com!
COME BACK IN FOR A CONSULTATION! Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your health, you can choose the physical therapy practice you want! Come back to PTII for a consultation today!
See our physical therapists for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Back and neck pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties
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FOX RIVER GROVE LOCATION: 1009 IL Route 22 Suite 1 Fox River Grove, IL 60021-1998
PARK RIDGE LOCATION: 1550 North Northwest Highway Suite 120 Park Ridge, IL 60068
T 847-462-8707 F 847-462-9208
T 847-298-3079 F 847-298-4019
HEALTHY GRILLING FOR ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS
MAIN DISHES Instead of greasy burgers, brats, and hot dogs, try …
health, boost immunity and protect against inflammation. SIDE DISHES Instead of mayo-based salads like coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni salad, try … Bean salad. All beans boast fiber, protein, and a bevy of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. Sliced tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Choose this tasty Caprese salad and you’ll get more olecanthal and cancer-fighting lycopene.
Meaty mushrooms marinated in equal parts olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice. You’ll get immune-boosting nutrients in the mushrooms, vinegar, and lemon juice. Plus, studies show that oleocanthal, one of the most concentrated anti-inflammatory compounds in olive oil, dampens the body’s inflammatory process and reduces pain sensitivity with a pharmacological action similar to ibuprofen. Salmon with a splash of lemon and a sprinkling of savory summer herbs. Salmon is rich in omega-3s and vitamin D, both of which enhance joint
HEALTHY RECIPE TELEHEALTH & IN-HOME ONE ON ONES
EXERCISE ESSENTIAL
Try this exercise to relieve your pain...
WRIST FLEXOR STRETCH (SUPINATION) Hold your arm out straight, with your wrist extended. Use the other hand to pull wrist further, feeling for a stretch. Hold for 5-10 seconds, keeping your elbow straight. Repeat as necessary.
Exercises copyright of
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PTII IS NOW OFFERING YOU TELEHEALTH & IN-HOME ONE ON ONE APPOINTMENTS. CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE!
Helps Wrist Pain
Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.
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