Physical therapy for carpal tunnel utilizes specific exercises that will target returning your elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand to a more natural position. If you have carpal tunnel, the channels that carry nerves become constricted which ultimately causes pain. By utilizing advanced carpal tunnel physical therapy techniques our physical therapists will focus on the following: restoring alignment, stretching and breathing exercises, specialized exercises to reduce any imbalances, and teaching you to be aware of your posture. While there is no set cure for carpal tunnel, physical therapy has been proven to greatly reduce pain while improving overall conditions in many cases.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

• Age
• Overuse- from work, play, sports...
• Previous Injury- existing damage to joints and loss of function from use.
• Obesity
• Genetics
• Degenerative conditions- RA, Lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, gout

Why Is Carpal Tunnel So Painful?

Common Carpal Tunnel Pain Hotspots-

• Hands
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Forearms

How Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Works?

Restoring Alignment & Muscle Symmetry: With everday usage you may find that your muscles have shifted. Exercises used with the Scarpal tunnel physical therapy can help you to restore muscle symmetry, as well as the alignment of your entire arm from shoulder to finger tips.

Breathing Exercises: With carpal tunnel physical therapy, focusing on breathing is very important. By utilizing special breathing techniques, you can focus on deeper stretching to assist with reshaping your wrist and arm ligaments, tendons, and any affected muscle tissue.

Posture Awareness: When someone has carpal tunnel, there are certain positions and postures that may make their condition worse. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your posture. Once you are aware of how different postures may affect your carpal tunnel, it will be easier to correct.

How can exercises help my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

• They can help to stabilize the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your wrist and hands.
• Promote optimum arm alignment
• Allows for mobilization of any stiff muscles
• Improvement of posture
• Enhances neuromuscular control
• Assists in relieving pain
• Greater muscle strength
• Improved cardiac function

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your Carpal Tunnel, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different Carpal Tunnel PT treatment sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized carpal tunnel physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your in-house PT sessions yet from the comfort of your own home.

Can you benefit from Carpal Tunnel Physical Therapy?

This method of treatment can be beneficial for children as well as adults. Anyone who is suffering from the pain and irritation that is often associated with carpal tunnel may benefit from specialized stretches and exercises.

Other Treatments for Carpal Tunnel

Carpal Tunnel physical therapy is an excellent nonsurgical treatment for Carpal Tunnel. However, depending on the severity of your case, bracing or surgery may be recommended. With bracing, you will wear a brace to stop your wrist from moving any further than it should be. If you have a very severe case of Carpal Tunnel then your doctor may recommend surgery.

Should I consider physical therapy for managing my Carpal Tunnel?

Chronic Pain: If your child has chronic pain they may benefit from physical therapy exercises and manual therapy.

With Carpal Tunnel physical therapy, the main goal is to prevent your symptoms from getting worse, while working on the actual physical rehab. This noninvasive method has been proven to relieve symptoms, pain, as well as improving overall alignment of the arm and wrist. If you or someone you care about is suffering from Carpal Tunnel related pain, physical therapy may be a good choice. To learn more about this form of treatment for Carpal Tunnel, or to schedule a consultation, feel free to reach out to my team and I today.