The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrists which allows nerves and blood vessels to pass from the arm to the palm of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome results when the space in the tunnel is reduced and there is pressure placed on the median nerve. This may result in numbness, tingling and other symptoms in the hand.
The first step is to have a physiotherapist complete a thorough assessment. This assessment will determine where the source of the tingling, numbness or pain in your hand is coming from. Although reduced space in the carpal tunnel is a common cause of these symptoms, other sources of nerve impingement can be found in your neck, shoulder or elbow. In order to treat the condition, it is important to identify and treat the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. A physiotherapist is trained in musculoskeletal assessment and in analyzing results to arrive at a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
At A Body In Motion, this treatment plan will be developed for you as an individual, and may include manual therapy, postural training, nerve gliding techniques, exercises, work station modification, leisure activity modifications, splinting and so much more. The ultimate goal of physiotherapy remains to reduce/eliminate symptoms and prevent them from re-occurring.