Physical therapists are experts in movement. For many people with carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy is an excellent treatment option for pain relief. Every patient who engages in physical therapy for carpal tunnel is given a personalized treatment plan based on the specifics of their case. A comprehensive physical therapy program can get patients back to their everyday activities quickly and comfortably. Some of the ways in which PT can assist patients with carpal tunnel include:
A physical therapy regimen may include discussion about the movements and activities that may trigger inflammation of the tendons in the wrist. Patients may discover the movements they frequently make are contributing to their problem and also how to change those movements to support neck, arm, wrist, and hand posture. For example, slouching or maintaining a head-forward posture can instigate inflammation in the tendons that pass through the wrist.
A physical therapist often teaches patients gentle stretching exercises that improve the flexibility and range of motion in the wrist, hand, and fingers.
Specific exercises may also be developed to increase the strength of the muscles in the arms, hands, and wrist.
Physical therapy often involves the use of heat, ice, ultrasound, or other therapeutic modalities that decrease inflammation and promote tissue healing.
In general, it is believed that carpal tunnel syndrome is more likely to get worse without treatment than better. Physical therapy represents the most conservative yet most formal treatment for the symptoms of carpal tunnel. In one study of over 100 women, physical therapy achieved faster results than surgery in the reduction of carpal tunnel symptoms. While symptom resolution was comparable between the surgery group and the physical therapy group, those who engaged in physical therapy felt better sooner than their counterparts. Do you need physical therapy to resolve carpal tunnel syndrome? If home remedies such as rest, splinting, and ice are not helping, it’s safe to say that you could benefit from a more formal treatment program.
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