If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, then you know how uncomfortable the symptoms can be and how it can affect your daily life. Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, affects 1 out of 20 people in America. Because it’s such a common condition, there are a variety of options when searching for effective carpal tunnel treatment. Here we break down signs of carpal tunnel syndrome and a few treatments to consider.
Carpal Tunnel Treatment: Things to Consider
Finding treatment options that are minimally invasive is usually the best route to go. We believe avoiding surgery is a good thing (unless it’s absolutely necessary). However, you first want to make sure you are diagnosed with CTS by a medical professional. Here are some symptoms to watch out for.
Carpal Tunnel Treatment Might Be Needed If You Have These Symptoms
As we said before, carpal tunnel syndrome needs to be diagnosed by your doctor before you can move forward with treatments. However, if you are displaying some of these signs and symptoms in your hands, wrist, or arm, you may want to make an appointment to get checked for CTS. Some common symptoms include:
- Pain in wrist, palm or forearm
- Increased pain when using hand or wrist
- Difficulty gripping objects such as a doorknob or the steering wheel of a car
- Tingling or numbness in hand and fingers—especially the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Weakness in your thumb
- More numbness or pain at night—the pain may even wake you up from sleep
If you have any of these symptoms, now is the time to make an appointment to visit a doctor who can test you for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Once you have been diagnosed, it’s time to consider your options. Non-invasive treatment is the best because you don’t have to go through potentially painful and expensive surgery or deal with recovery time. Here are some effective, non-surgical methods to consider when looking for treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Some carpal tunnel treatment methods include:
- Stretching—to improve the flexibility of your wrist, hand and fingers
- Exercises—to increase the strength of the muscles in your hand, fingers and forearm
- Education—changing wrist positions, proper posture, stretching techniques
- Use of a splint to provide comfort and alleviate pain
- Use of cold/heat treatments for pain relief
Hand therapy is a great non-surgical option for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. A hand therapist can walk you through different stretches, movements and exercises, while assessing your overall progress towards healing. Your therapist will also put together a customized treatment plan for your specific case.
The goal of hand therapy is to reduce your pain and symptoms without the need for surgery, which makes it a fantastic non-invasive treatment option.
Being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t the end of the world. With the use of non-surgical carpal tunnel treatment methods and the guidance of a hand therapist, you’re sure to heal more quickly and effectively. Let hand therapy help you find your way back to your best, pain-free life!
