Using Physical Therapy to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Even if your carpal tunnel symptoms are mild to moderate, getting treatment as soon as possible is essential to avoid long term nerve damage. The sooner you get treatment to manage your carpal tunnel pain, the less likely your symptoms are to progress and become debilitating. In many cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can be managed with conservative and non-invasive treatments like physical therapy.
At Republic Spine and Pain, our pain management doctors and specialists offer several treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome at three convenient locations in Georgetown, Lakeway, and Austin, Texas.
How physical therapy helps carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. As its name suggests, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway full of nerves and connective tissue at the base of the wrists. The median nerve, which runs the length of each arm and passes through the carpal tunnel in the hands, controls movement and sensation in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Any narrowing in the carpal tunnel (usually due to inflammation) can compress the median nerve and cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling.
Common causes and risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Inflammation caused by a medical condition or injury
- Performing repetitive motions
- Being a woman
- Obesity
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Fluid retention (common during pregnancy and menopause)
Anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but certain risk factors like your job or medical conditions that cause inflammation can increase your chances.
Physical therapy treatments help with both carpal tunnel syndrome related symptoms, like pain, and some of the underlying causes like occupational strain, wrist positioning, soft tissue injuries, and posture.
The first step in determining the right treatment plan for your carpal tunnel pain is diagnosing the source and extent of the compression and damage to your median nerve. Our pain management specialists use several diagnostic testing options, including digital imaging to design a comprehensive treatment plan that’s customized just for you.
Physical therapy treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome consist of therapeutic exercise, stretching, and activity modification, if necessary. Wearing a splint to stabilize the wrist is also a common treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Our specialists can also help you address underlying problems that cause or increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, such as arthritis, overuse injuries, or nerve damage.
Contact Republic Spine and Pain for more information about our treatment plans for carpal tunnel syndrome and pain management programs at our offices in Lakeway, Georgetown, and Austin, Texas.