Carpal Tunnel Treatment
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and frustrating condition that can significantly impact your daily activities. It affects the wrist and hand, caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. This is a narrow space in your wrist surrounded by bones and ligaments.
When the tissue inside this space becomes swollen or inflamed, it compresses the median nerve and leads to symptoms like tingling, numbness, or weakness in the thumb, index, middle fingers, and half of the ring finger. These symptoms often feel worse at night or first thing in the morning and can gradually interfere with tasks like gripping objects, writing, or using a phone. Carpal tunnel syndrome only affects areas supplied by the median nerve. If symptoms occur in the little finger or outer hand border, the ulnar nerve may be involved instead.
One of the most common causes is repetitive strain wrist movements, such as frequent typing, manual work, using vibrating tools, or prolonged gripping activities like DIY or long-distance cycling. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, wrist injuries, arthritis, and health conditions like diabetes.
If not addressed early, symptoms can become persistent and affect your ability to work or carry out everyday activities. Fortunately, with the right carpal tunnel treatment, most people can manage the syndrome effectively and avoid the need for surgery.
How Can Carpal Tunnel Treatment Help?
Carpal tunnel treatment focuses on relieving pressure on the median nerve, reducing symptoms, and improving hand and wrist function. Physiotherapy offers a highly effective, non-surgical approach, particularly when started early.
Manual therapy techniques can improve movement in the wrist joints and ease tension in the soft tissues, helping to reduce nerve compression. Wrist splints, often worn at night, keep the wrist in a neutral position to prevent further irritation. This can lead to better sleep and reduced morning pain.
A personalised rehabilitation programme supports nerve gliding, improves flexibility, and gradually restores strength. These exercises are simple but important for long-term recovery.
In some cases, shockwave therapy may be recommended to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing, especially in early-stage cases.
Your physiotherapist will also help you identify and reduce repetitive strain wrist movements, offering advice on posture, workstation setup and daily routines. Research shows that physiotherapy is most effective for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, with early intervention and a combination of these approaches yielding the best outcomes.
Why Choose True Physio?
Our specialist physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals are trained to deliver comprehensive treatment that addresses your needs. We understand that this injury can be incredibly disruptive to your work and daily life, which is why we’re committed to providing effective, evidence-based treatment from the moment you step into our clinic.
We conduct thorough hour-long initial assessments to understand your medical history, perform detailed physical examinations, and analyse your symptoms and movement patterns. This allows us to identify the root cause of your condition and develop a tailored treatment plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
We then provide education and self-management strategies to help you understand your condition and take control of your recovery. Our team will teach you to recognise and address aggravating factors, ensuring you have the tools needed for long-term success.
Let us be part of your journey back to pain-free living. Book an appointment to begin your carpal tunnel treatment and discover how our expert care can help you return to the activities you love without discomfort.
