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.
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HEALTH & FITNESS The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
COMBATCARPALTUNNEL SYNDROMEWITHPT
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. 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 Advanced PT, 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, 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.
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SURGERY VS. PHYSICAL THERAPY
Advanced PT 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. EXERCISES YOU CAN DO AT HOME: • Spiders doing pushups: Beginwith 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. If you’re suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or other chronic condition, call (316) 283-7187 to contact your physical therapist at Advanced Physical Therapy! 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
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. HOW WE CAN HELP: 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 Advanced PT, 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.
Do you want a natural solution to improving your health? Gain your freedom from pain medication and avoid costly surgery with physical therapy!
We can help you: Naturally relieve stiffness and swelling. Prevent aches and stiffness. Be more active with your friends and family.
Have more energy. Feel better at work.
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Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to relieve pain.
Patient Results
Relieves Pain From Carpal Tunnel
“I’m able to get relief!”
I’m so glad I chose to come to Advanced Physical Therapy.Mywrist hadbeenhurting formonths, due to the repetitive motion at work. I decided to have APT look at it. I’mso glad I did, I’mable to get relief from the constant nagging pain. Don’t wait, give them a call today!” - A.N. “I am able to do household chores with more confidence!” Before therapy, it was awkward doing the dishes, dusting, etc. householdchores, gripping thesteering wheel, anything using my hand/arm. I wasn’t able to mow the lawn either. Since therapy, I’m able to do the household chores with more confidence, I can grip the steering wheel and use the machines while I work out. I can even mow the yard again. Very grateful!” - J.S. “I can now do all the little things I couldn’t do before!” Before therapy, Iwasunable todo thesimplest tasks withmy right arm. I couldn’t gripobjects for example a pop can was too heavy and sent major pain through out my arm. Since therapy, working with Advanced has helped me so much. I can now do all the little things I couldn’t do before. I feel I have full range of my arm back.” - T.G.
Exercisescopyrightof
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WR I ST F L E XOR STR E TCH Hold your arm outstretched, palm up, wrist extended. Use your other hand to pull wrist down further until you feel a light stretch, keeping your elbow straight. Hold for 6 seconds. Repeat on the affected hand as needed throughout the day.
Relieves Wrist Pain
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PRAY E R STR E TCH Stand with good posture. Place hands together as shown until you feel a light stretch in your forearm. Hold for 6 seconds. Repeat as needed. Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.
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