Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve where it passes through the wrist. It brings numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often worse at night, along with a weak grip. Physical therapy can relieve mild to moderate cases and helps after surgery. East Mountain Physical Therapy treats it in Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras and Moriarty.
Signs that point to carpal tunnel
- Numb or tingling fingers, thumb through the middle finger
- Hand numbness at night that wakes you
- Dropping things, or a weak pinch and grip
- Wrist pain from typing or repeated gripping
Why it happens
Repetitive hand work, pregnancy, diabetes and arthritis are the common reasons the tunnel gets crowded. Repetitive jobs make it a frequent work injury, and it can show up during pregnancy. As our FAQ page puts it, carpal tunnel is nerve compression at the wrist, and specific exercises, work changes and pain relief are essential to managing it. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
What we do before surgery is considered
Find the pattern
We test the wrist, hand and neck, because tingling in the fingers can come from the neck instead. See neck pain.
Treat the wrist and forearm
Manual therapy, plus ultrasound or iontophoresis when they suit your case, and exercises to keep the nerve and tendons gliding.
Change what overloads it
Workstation, tool grip and breaks, so the wrist stops being squeezed all day.
Recovery after carpal tunnel release
If you have had surgery, therapy helps the scar, grip and motion recover in the right order. More on the wrist and hand is on hand and wrist pain. Numbness in both feet as well as the hands has another cause, such as peripheral neuropathy, so tell us at your visit.
Carpal Tunnel care in the East Mountains
We see patients from Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras, Moriarty and the East Mountains.