How Physical Therapy Can Combat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Candace was a hairstylist who loved her work. Every day, she looked forward to chatting with her customers as she helped them look their best. After ten years in the business, she had built up an impressive roster of clients–but she’d also developed some worrying symptoms, too.
It started with a “pins and needles” sensation in her hands and fingers, especially at night. However, as time passed, she began to experience the sensation at work. Between appointments, Candace frequently found herself shaking out her hands, trying to alleviate her discomfort.
Eventually, that tingling sensation became more pronounced, and it was often accompanied by pain throughout her hand. Candace started to find once-simple motions–like snipping off dead ends or giving a vigorous shampoo–much more difficult.
That was when Candace visited the team at Harter Physical Therapy. We reviewed her symptoms, examined her hand and wrist, and gave her the diagnosis: carpal tunnel syndrome. We also provided a wealth of non-surgical treatments to help Candace manage her condition so she could go back to making her clients feel beautiful.
Are you experiencing similar symptoms? Have you recently received a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis? Our team can help you, too. Call us today to learn more!
What Exactly Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Because carpal tunnel syndrome is relatively common, most of us have a vague idea of what it entails: mainly that it involves the hands, fingers, and wrists and that it’s associated with certain jobs (like computer work).
These two things are true but don’t provide the complete picture. Carpal tunnel syndrome gets its name from the carpal tunnel, a structure of bones, ligaments, and tendons that runs from your wrist into your hands. It serves as a passageway for the median nerve, one of the major nerves in your upper extremities.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes trapped in the carpal tunnel, leading to the many symptoms we associate with the condition:
- Weakened grip
- Pain or numbness in the hand
- Numbness, burning, or tingling in your fingers
- Swelling in your fingers
- Pain or numbness that increases at night
These symptoms usually develop gradually. At first, you may only experience them at night. But if you leave the condition untreated, you’ll begin experiencing symptoms during the day, especially after small hand movements (as Candace experienced).
Exercise of the Month
Median Nerve Glide
(Arms, Nerve Mobility)
Stand tall with your arm extended in front of you at shoulder height, palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to gently grasp your thumb. Slowly extend your wrist and fingers back. Return to the starting position with control. Perform the motion gently and smoothly. 3 Sets, 10 Reps (each arm).
Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Physical Therapy
If your carpal tunnel syndrome is still in the early stages, we’ve got good news: physical therapy alone may be enough to manage your symptoms! Experts recommend addressing carpal tunnel syndrome with conservative methods before opting for surgery–an approach that can save you money in the long run.
Here’s what we’ll do:
Offer drug-free pain management: We can show you different options for managing hand pain, such as hot or cold therapy.
Develop strategies to manage your symptoms: Many people develop carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive hand motions, often at their job. Adjusting your posture, using proper equipment, and taking frequent breaks during the day can all help slow the condition’s progression.
Prescribe therapeutic exercises: Targeted finger and hand stretching exercises can help improve mobility, while strengthening exercises can help decrease symptoms.
Provide a night splint: Splinting immobilizes your wrist at night, reducing discomfort so you can get a full night’s sleep.
Often, these techniques are enough to minimize symptoms so that you don’t need to bother with surgery at all. Unfortunately, sometimes surgery is necessary to fully manage carpal tunnel syndrome, especially if you didn’t start treatment early enough.
The good news is carpal tunnel release surgery is a relatively minor outpatient surgery. However, it will still require rehabilitation afterward, and our team can guide you through the process. We’ll help reduce scar tissue and restore strength to your wrist so you can enjoy the benefits of your procedure.
Omega-3 Rich Baked Salmon with Walnuts
This nutrient-packed dish features salmon and walnuts, both excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation naturally. Combined with fresh herbs and lemon, this simple recipe supports nerve health and can help manage symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried), 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together walnuts, olive oil, dill, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper. Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and pat dry. Spread the walnut mixture evenly over the top of each fillet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving. Pair with roasted asparagus or a mixed green salad.
We Have Incredible News!
We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to announce that Harter Physical Therapy has been named both the Best Physical Therapy Clinic in Wichita and the Best Customer Service in Wichita! Winning these prestigious awards is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team, but more importantly, it is a reflection of the incredible community we serve. We are profoundly grateful for your continued trust in your health and wellness journey; your support is the heartbeat of our clinic. Thank you for making us Wichita’s top choice—we can’t wait to keep providing you with world-class care and the gold standard of service!
Call Us Today To Learn More
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be common, but it’s not something you have to live with. The team of physical therapists at Harter Physical Therapy will work with you to find a treatment plan that suits your needs, including helping you manage work tasks that might worsen your symptoms.
Ready to get started? Call to schedule your consultation today!
Is It Really Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is relatively common, affecting up to 5% of the population. For that reason, many people will immediately assume any hand or wrist discomfort is carpal tunnel syndrome–but that’s not necessarily the case.
At Harter Physical Therapy, we can help you know for certain if you’re struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome or another condition. Below are some other sources of hand and wrist pain that may be causing you trouble.
A good rule of thumb is to remember that carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder–which means its symptoms include numbness and tingling. If you’re just struggling with pain or immobility, something else is probably the culprit.
If It’s Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, It Could Be…
Hand Arthritis
Arthritis can affect any joint, including the wrist and hands. Because it’s a joint issue, it won’t cause any numbness or tingling. That said, rheumatoid arthritis is a risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, so if you have RA and do start to experience nerve-related symptoms, give us a call.
Wrist Tendonitis
This condition develops when the tendons in your wrist become damaged or inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness (but no numbness or tingling). People often mistake it for carpal tunnel syndrome because it can be an overuse injury, developing out of repetitive small hand motions.
Cervical Radiculopathy
This condition does involve your nerves, which means it can cause symptoms very similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, including numbness in your hands and a weakened grip. However, it stems from an issue in your neck, so you’ll notice pain running down your arm or when you turn your head.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms in your hands or wrists, it’s essential to seek help from a physical therapist. We can help you understand what’s going on–and help you find an appropriate treatment option!
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448179/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999321003257, https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-carpal-tunnel-syndrome, https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/arthritis-vs-carpal-tunnel, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Tendinopathy, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/
