Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel on the palm-side of your wrist and protects the Median Nerve and tendons that bend your fingers. Overuse of these tendons and injury to the wrist can cause increased pressure here and result in pain and weakness in the wrist and hand. Common causes of CTS include excessive keyboard and computer use, assembly-line work and jobs requiring the use of hand tools.
Symptoms may include sensations of “pins & needles” down the forearm, thumb and first 3 fingers. These symptoms are often more noticeable at night and many people report the need to “shake out” their hands for relief. More constant numbness may occur if the pressure on the nerve continues, as well as weakness of the hand muscles. Surgery may be considered in these cases.
Physical therapy treatment for CTS incorporates the use of heat/cold treatments to relieve pain, stretching exercises to improve flexibility of the wrist, hand and fingers, and exercises to increase wrist and hand strength. At Cynergy, we strive to reduce your symptoms without the need for surgery. Our goal is to enable you to be as active and functional as possible and to help you return to your normal work, home, and leisure activities.
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is a Physical or Occupational therapist who is specialized in providing treatment of hand and upper extremity injuries resulting from trauma, disease or acquired deformity. Diagnosis include but not limited to patients with fractures/ dislocations, crush injuries, tendon or ligament repairs/ lacerations, tendinopathies, peripheral nerve disorders, sports related syndromes and many more. A CHT has a minimum of 5 years clinical experience, successfully passed an examination of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper extremity rehabilitation and meets the mandated criteria to maintain this specialized credential. A hand therapist can effectively provide post-operative rehabilitation, non–operative or conservative intervention, orthotic fabrication, preventative care and ergonomic consultation.