The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

At first, the pain starts in your wrist and then extends into your hand. It’s called carpal tunnel syndrome and usually includes burning, numbness, and sometimes even tingling sensations that extend up the arm and beyond. Simple tasks such as flexing your fingers or curling your wrist inward are now a struggle as tightening muscles put pressure on the median nerve. Before long daily activities such as typing on the computer or cooking become a challenge. What’s worse is if left untreated the condition will only deteriorate eventually causing permanent damage to the underlying muscles.

Carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t in your head, but it can certainly start there. Something as simple as how you hold your head at work can cause a “multiple crush,” an issue that creates catching spots in the elbow, neck, or shoulder.  In that sense, wrist pain could be the end result of something bigger that affects your whole body.

That’s why it’s important to visit a pt Health physiotherapist. When you visit pt Health, you’ll receive a thorough assessment which addresses the source of your problem long before you are given any exercises, pain relief, or bracing options.  This type of treatment plan ultimately saves you cost and time because you aren’t left to shop for a brace which may ultimately compromise the nerve.

The good news? There’s something you can do about it. Introducing the pt Health Carpal Tunnel Treatment Program.

Treatment Plan

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most frequently diagnosed form of nerve entrapment, ⁱ and for this reason it’s important to consider preventative techniques to reduce the rate of occurrence.  But no matter how hard you try to flex and stretch sometimes the median nerve insists on acting up. This is especially true for persons with metabolic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis, which have a tendency to compress the nerves. Even pregnancy can cause carpal tunnel because of the increase retention of fluid in expectant mothers.

Your Assessment

When you visit pt Health, we’ll get you right in so your therapist can assess your condition. But before treatment even starts, your provider will want to know if the pain is localized to the wrist as nerve compression can start higher up in the body. For example, they may ask you to stand tall, balance, and even walk to assess your gait which helps detect muscle and nerve weaknesses.  From there your therapist can demonstrate gliding exercises, nerve flossing, traction, and stretches to relieve strain on the muscles which constrict the carpal tunnel and press on the median nerve.

Non-Surgical Pain Relief

There is no medication involved in your physiotherapy for carpal tunnel, but your therapist will certainly work with you to decrease your discomfort using a wide range of therapeutic modalities. And since many carpal tunnel conditions are work place related, your therapist may also suggest plans for ergonomic settings at work and home in order to prevent strain.

The goal with physiotherapy is to avoid long term damage and surgical intervention. If you do require surgery however, rest assured physiotherapy is still the next step to getting the tendons, nerves, and muscles healing properly.

Exercises

Once your therapist has addressed the basis of your discomfort, they will work with you to ease tightening muscles which put strain on the median nerve. But don’t be surprised if these stretches involve more than just the hands. As you may recall, nerves travel from the top of the head and radiate, so by the time they reach your wrist the pain could have a cause that with origins elsewhere.

Wrist Braces & Splints

One of the most helpful treatments to curing carpal tunnel is fitting the patient with a resting or nighttime splint which keeps the wrist in a neutral position. The reason for a splint is that many people get into a position which unknowingly compromises the median nerve during rest.

The best part of pt Health is we have access to an assortment of braces. So when you visit with your physiotherapist, they are able to source a splint that keeps your wrist in the right position for healing. This is especially important because you want to be sure to select a device that does not further compromise your pain. Braces have many different fits and your therapist wants you in one that doesn’t put greater pressure on your nerves.

Start a Treatment Plan

Physiotherapy & Wrist Bracing Go Together at pt Health

While physiotherapy is necessary to alleviate carpal tunnel pain, build strength, and improve functionality, therapy alone is not always enough to fully treat a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome. Often a wrist brace is needed to help keep the median nerve protected. For some patients the condition will inevitably return without proper bracing.

Get the Right Fit at pt Health

At pt Health, we offer a variety of top brand bracing and splints that are comfortable to wear and sleep with. Our bracing is very affordable and often covered by most insurance plans. You’ll notice our wide selection when you visit one of our clinics, and can be sure we have one that fits your needs. What’s more your therapist may custom fit a brace to fit your exact needs. For example, there may be a few degrees of wrist extension required, or a particular size needed.

Ultimately, the brace is meant to keep the wrist in a neutral position where carpal tunnel pressure is at a minimum. A good quality wrist brace or splint will help ensure the median nerve is not adversely compromised.

We offer the following wrist brace brands:

• Procare
• Med Spec
• Bio Skin
• Breg
• Mueller
• Imak
• Thuasne
• Thermoactive

Coverage Options

At pt Health, we know that sorting out insurance paperwork can be time-consuming and confusing. We want your focus to be on getting well and staying well. With that in mind, we do our best to help you navigate through the necessary forms. We speak with your insurance providers and we’ll answer any questions you may have about your coverage.