TIPS FOR TREATING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
How can I tell if I need surgery? In some severe cases, surgery may be a necessary step in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, in most cases, hand therapy alone is enough to treat the condition completely. In fact, in a study published by the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, the effects of the two methods of treatment were 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 school or work within 8 weeks after receiving their operation, researchers decided to test whether more conservative treatments could be used in replacement of surgical procedures. The results were overwhelmingly positive. 100 women with carpal tunnel syndrome were studied; 50 had received surgery, and 50 had received hand therapy. The hand therapy patients were treated with manual therapy techniques, focusing on the median nerve, in addition to stretching exercises given by their therapists. After one month, these 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. What can I do on my own? Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to make sure you don’t develop carpal tunnel syndrome. If you notice pain in your fingers, hands, wrists, or forearms, you can purchase a brace to ease tension while you type and write.
Additional exercises you can do to prevent these areas from becoming stiff and/or provide pain relief include: • 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. NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine is dedicated toward helping you achieve a pain-free life, with the least amount of discomfort possible. If you have been noticing pain in your upper extremities, the best decision is to contact us as soon as possible to set up a consultation with one of our CHTs. Contact us today to find out how we can relieve your carpal tunnel pains!
Contact NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine for a pain screening today! Discover the root cause of your problem before it’s too late! We gladly accept most insurance!
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