Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms and Physiotherapy Treatments
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist, causing pain, numbness, and discomfort. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. This condition is prevalent in individuals who perform repetitive hand motions, like typing, using tools, or playing musical instruments. In this blog, we'll explore the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and how physiotherapy can play a crucial role in its treatment.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually gradual, and early detection is essential to prevent it from worsening. Common symptoms include:
1. Numbness and Tingling: A frequent sensation of numbness, tingling, or burning in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. This may occur during daily activities or at night, potentially waking you from sleep.
2. Pain: Pain in the hand, wrist, or forearm, which may radiate up the arm towards the shoulder.
3. Weakness: Difficulty gripping objects, reduced hand strength, or frequent dropping of items due to weakened thumb muscles.
4. Swelling Sensation: Some people describe feeling like their fingers are swollen, even if they are not visibly enlarged.
5. Difficulty with Fine Motor Skills: Reduced ability to perform tasks that require fine motor coordination, like buttoning a shirt or typing.
6. Symptoms Worsen at Night: Many patients find their symptoms, especially numbness and tingling, worsen at night, likely due to wrist positioning while sleeping.
If these symptoms are left untreated, they may become more severe, leading to permanent nerve damage or muscle deterioration.
How Physiotherapy Helps in Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Physiotherapy offers a non-invasive and effective treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, particularly in its early stages. Physiotherapists focus on reducing pain, improving strength, and restoring normal wrist function. Here’s how physiotherapy can help:
1. Activity Modification
One of the first steps in treating CTS is identifying activities that aggravate the condition and finding ways to modify or avoid them. Your physiotherapist can provide guidance on how to adjust your workspace ergonomics, use wrist splints, or take breaks to prevent overuse.
2. Wrist Exercises
Targeted wrist exercises help to alleviate pressure on the median nerve by stretching and strengthening the surrounding muscles and tendons.
Wrist Flexor Stretch: Extend your arm in front of you with your palm facing upward. Use your other hand to gently pull back your fingers and wrist until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat.
Median Nerve Glide: Extend your arm out to the side, palm up. Slowly extend your wrist and fingers back, then bring your thumb in toward your palm. Repeat this movement 10-15 times to "glide" the nerve and reduce adhesions.
Tendon Glides: Make a fist, then slowly straighten your fingers and thumb out as much as possible. Repeat 10-15 times to improve tendon flexibility.
3. Manual Therapy
Physiotherapists often use manual techniques to reduce tension in the muscles and soft tissues around the wrist and forearm. Techniques like myofascial release, mobilisation of the wrist joints, and soft tissue massage can help relieve discomfort and improve circulation.
4. Electrotherapy
Modalities like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) can help to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation by improving blood flow and promoting tissue healing.
5. Splinting
In some cases, your physiotherapist may recommend wearing a wrist splint, particularly at night, to keep the wrist in a neutral position and reduce pressure on the median nerve. Splinting helps prevent prolonged wrist flexion, which can worsen symptoms.
6. Posture Correction
Poor posture, especially during desk work, can exacerbate CTS symptoms. Physiotherapists can help you improve your sitting posture, which may reduce pressure on your wrists and forearms. Ergonomic adjustments like proper chair height, keyboard placement, and wrist support are often recommended.
Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
To minimise the risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it’s important to adopt healthy habits, especially if your daily routine involves repetitive hand movements. Here are some prevention tips:
Take Breaks: Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks and stretch your hands and wrists to relieve tension.
Maintain Good Posture: Ensure that your workstation is set up ergonomically, with your wrists kept in a neutral position.
Use Proper Equipment: Use ergonomic keyboards, mouse pads, and tools designed to reduce strain on the hands and wrists.
Strengthen and Stretch: Regular wrist and hand exercises can keep the tendons and muscles flexible and strong.
Conclusion
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can significantly impact your quality of life, but with early intervention and physiotherapy, the condition can be managed and even reversed. If you suspect you have CTS or are experiencing symptoms, consult with a physiotherapist who can develop a tailored treatment plan to help reduce pain and improve functionality. Regular exercises, activity modification, and ergonomic changes are essential to long-term recovery and prevention.
Remember, timely physiotherapy intervention can prevent the need for surgery and keep you functioning and pain free.
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