Carpal tunnel syndrome is a well-known condition affecting the median nerve. Those dealing with it may feel pain in their wrists or fingers when doing everyday work or personal tasks.
According to the National Institutes of Health, carpal tunnel release surgery is one of the most common procedures in the country. Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, and plenty of options for dealing with it early on.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Positioned in the palm of your hand, the carpal tunnel is a slender corridor surrounded by your bones and ligaments. Near it is the median nerve, which can become inflamed due to lack of room caused by inflammation, increase in the bulk or size of the wrist muscles, and repetitive motions.
The carpal tunnel also connects to tendons that ensure you can bend your thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Of CTS, Nathan Anderson, LAc, Dean of Clinical Education at the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine says, “It’s the most common tendinitis inflammation that then compresses the space available and starts to irritate the nerves.” (Tendinitis, also called tendonitis, refers to inflammation or irritation of a tendon.)
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The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons explains their recommendations for diagnosing CTS:
- Obtaining the history of present illness. The physician will ask questions to get their patients’ medical history and understand the pain in their wrist or hands. They will ask questions about hobbies, lifestyle activities, work, and pace of symptoms in order to gauge how quickly CTS may be developing.
- Physical examination. The physician will then make notes about the patient’s physical build and observe their range of motion, any abnormalities in the wrist or fingers, and conduct other tests to check for grip strength. Alternative causes for pain in the median nerve, fingers, or wrist—such as another condition that causes these symptoms—will be ruled out during this phase.
Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain
Aaron Ford, P.T./D.P.T., a physical therapist and owner of Ford Physical Therapy, says that his patients often believe they have CTS, when really they may have a neck issue or a pinched nerve. As a physical therapist there are several recommendations he has for those who deal with tendinitis in their wrist, or who may have CTS and want to prevent it from becoming more severe.
1. Improve your workplace ergonomics
People who type on computers or sit all day for their line of work can make sure their computers are at eye level to prevent them from looking down. When sitting, ensure feet are flat on the ground and the elbows have a place to rest. Ford also suggests keeping tools like pens and calculators in close proximity and/or in front of workspaces to avoid having to reach back or forward and over.
2. Try wrist braces
This limits movements in the wrist and prevents the muscles from growing. “You don’t want that area too big because it will compress on the nerve [running near the carpal tunnel],” says Aaron.
3. Do light stretches
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has a list of light stretches people can do to alleviate pain attributed to CTS. Make sure you have a clear diagnosis and speak to a physician before trying any new exercise regimen.
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4. Consider lifestyle changes
Depending on your care team’s guidance, you may have to limit the activities that cause pain. This can be tricky to do in the case of certain occupations, but physicians and physical therapists can help you find workarounds to help limit movements that cause pain or worsen the progression of CTS.
5. Visit an acupuncturist
Based in Chinese medicine, acupuncture can be helpful for people who deal with CTS and inflammation. Anderson often sees patients as a last resort before a surgery or before CTS becomes severe enough to require more aggressive methods. “Acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and to provide an analgesic or pain-relieving effect. “If we’re able to reduce the inflammation locally, improve circulation, set the stage for tissue repair, and provide some analgesic pain relief, then we are taking care of the main factors that are at play in the biomedical model,” he says.
6. Turn to heat application
Applying heat to the wrist can also alleviate pain, according to Anderson. In acupuncture, some options may also include cupping or using infrared light as a way to apply heat.
Dealing with worsening symptoms
Ford explains that worsening symptoms will usually prompt physicians to order tests such as a nerve conduction study or electromyography (EMG), which tests muscles and nerve cells they use in order to move.
Surgery is certainly an option for worsening or severe symptoms, but physical therapy may still be needed afterward depending on results. As always, your doctor and medical care team will be able to help you determine what the best treatment course is for you.