Treatment to Help Relieve Carpal Tunnel Pain

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand can be a sign of carpal tunnel. Here’s why it occurs.

In your arm, there’s a median nerve that controls the movement and feeling of your thumb, and movement of all other fingers excluding your pinky. It runs the length of the arm, goes through a passage in the wrist (the carpal tunnel), and ends in the hand. When there’s pressure on the median nerve, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand can occur, otherwise known as carpal tunnel. Other symptoms of carpal tunnel can include trouble holding things, shock-like feelings that creep through your fingers, tingling that crawls up your arm, fingers falling asleep, and so forth. 

Carpal tunnel can interfere with your day-to-day activities and life, and even your job, leaving individuals determined to find treatment that works. Our team of compassionate and professional physical therapists at Release Physical Therapy get to know clients, what’s bothering them, and how they define success, to create a personalized, hands-on treatment plan to maximize wellness. Utilize your physical therapy sessions as time to connect with your body, achieve your wellness goals, and find relief from carpal tunnel in and outside of physical therapy. Trust us to take your hands and lead the way to a happier, healthier, carpal tunnel-free version of you.  

Should carpal tunnel physical therapy be done before surgery, after, or both?

The best place to start for carpal tunnel treatment is physical therapy. Together, you and your Release physical therapist can peel back the layers of your carpal tunnel. We always recommend conservative treatment before surgery.  With your physical therapist, you can discuss when it bothers you, what symptoms accompany it, what’s manageable in terms of treatment, and more. With your guidance, we can deliver expert advice and effective physical therapy as a primary source of treatment. We acknowledge that your experience with carpal tunnel, past experiences, and future goals will look different than someone else’s. If you have had surgery, we can also be the first source to help you get back to your goals. Let us get to know your goals and we can help determine your treatment and improve your function.

What do they do in physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Before taking the first step and devoting time to physical therapy, it’s normal to stop and wonder what to actually expect. You might read some treatments or exercises used in physical therapy, but what’s best for you should be recommended based on your situation. Our team of extraordinary and passionate physical therapists can customize various treatments, including physical therapy for hands. Every session is devoted to your needs and recovery goals, therefore, what you might do in a session will vary. You can expect your physical therapy session to start with an evaluation guided by your physical therapist who will evaluate your hand’s condition, including strength, flexibility, and functionality. Treatments to follow can include manual therapy, dry needling, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, exercises including a home exercise plan, education, and we are constantly changing the plan to be individualized to your goals.  Our services are designed to address every part of one’s condition from why it’s occurring to getting back to doing the things you love, faster.

Can physical therapy help fix carpal tunnel pain?

As with most things, finding a trusted professional makes all the difference. Physical therapy can be a highly-effective and common treatment for carpal tunnel. At Release Physical Therapy, we want to maximize results just as much as you do. Utilizing a range of techniques and advanced technology, your Release physical therapist will work to customize treatment plans based on your needs and recovery goals. Remember, it’s never too soon to start physical therapy. Starting sooner than later can help you prevent conditions such as carpal tunnel from interfering with your life.

What is the best exercise for someone with carpal tunnel?

Select exercise can be a part of your physical therapy plan for carpal tunnel. The goal of these exercises will be to safely and comfortably improve movement, strength, and dexterity. Based on your physical fitness level and needs, your Release physical therapist can use a range of techniques, including exercises, to treat your carpal tunnel.

How often should someone do physical therapy for carpal tunnel?

The frequency at which you should do physical therapy will depend on your needs and goals. It can also depend on other factors that may be contributing to your carpal tunnel. Start with an evaluation with a trusted Release physical therapist to understand the treatment plan best suited for you.

What is the fastest way to recover from carpal tunnel syndrome?

There’s no better feeling than making progress. Watching our patients feel better and become more confident is one of the greatest rewards of our profession. Fast-tracking the road to recovery starts with a treatment plan that is personalized based on your needs. As you progress, you will want a trusted professional who knows your body like you do by your side to adjust your plan so you can achieve maximum results, and sustain them long-term. Establish a relationship with your Release PT physical therapist to foster long-term recovery and prevention.

What activities should be avoided when you have carpal tunnel?

We use our hands for just about everything, so when carpal tunnel strikes, it can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. Activities that demand you constantly use your wrists and hands may not help treat the issue, yet sometimes, these things are unavoidable. Taking breaks and understanding your condition can help you get back to doing the things you need and love to do. Work with your Release physical therapists to receive a hands-on, personalized treatment plan, in and outside of physical therapy sessions, to help you get your life back. We listen to our patients to understand their needs and devise treatment plans that are sustainable and deliver the results that are best for each of them.

How long does carpal tunnel physical therapy take to see results?

As with most things, consistency matters. Physical therapy can deliver life-changing results. With our team of expert physical therapists at Release Physical Therapy, you can commit with confidence to a treatment plan that’s made just for you. We value your time and want to witness each of our patients reach their goals. With shared interests and true passion, we will help you achieve results as quickly as possible, making adjustments as needed along the way to match your progress.