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Does this sound familiar?
Your hand has been aching for the last month.
Every time you work at your computer, you find you're taking breaks more and more as the pain continues to fluctuate.
Your fingers feel numb on occasion, and trying to pick things up around the house seems to become more and more challenging.
That 15-minute chore like folding laundry is now pushing 40 minutes to get done, and continuing your favorite hobbies like knitting with your granddaughter, playing tennis with friends or even driving feels uncomfortable or just downright painful.
You're sick of this feeling, so you finally visit your doctor… and they diagnose you with Carpal Tunnel syndrome.
Your mind now starts to race.
What are my options? Will I need surgery? Is this forever? Will it get worse?
Thankfully, with physical therapy, the answer can be “No!”
Carpal tunnel is the most common form of nerve entrapment, a condition in which one of the nerves that enters the hand through the wrist becomes inflamed.
It can happen for many reasons, but is most commonly seen in individuals that complete repetitive forms of activity. These repetitive activities can be related to work, like typing at a computer, or related to home life, like participating in hobbies with fine motor skills. Repetitive motions like typing or playing piano, or prolonged exposure to vibrations from hand tools can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’ve been diagnosed, you may feel alone. But did you know that this condition affects a large population of people? Three to six percent of adults suffer from this condition worldwide. That equates to roughly 465 million people, and luckily surgery is no longer your only option.
Our awesome physical therapist Alec has recently gained an additional certification recognizing advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel in the Physical Therapy setting. The certification included advanced coursework and treatment focusing on manual therapy procedures. These procedures are included but not limited to myofascial release techniques, cupping, and soft tissue massage of the intrinsic musculature of the hand, all of which are exclusively taught in this advanced training.
Alongside an advanced skill set, Alec has also gained an in-depth knowledge of the importance of symptom management as well as clinical signs to pay attention to in order to better address patients’ specific needs. Home and therapy setting exercise plans will be geared to reducing tension on the median nerve, with a goal of getting you lasting relief!