Surgery is an option that can be used to address wrist issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. However, many people can use nonsurgical treatment options for this condition. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in the wrist is pinched or irritated. Often, this happens when other structures in the wrist become inflamed. Carpal tunnel is the most common compression neuropathy. It’s estimated that 9.2% of women and 6% of men will develop this wrist issue in their lifetime. 

Physical therapy is one nonsurgical treatment option that can help carpal tunnel syndrome. Its practitioners can use many treatment techniques to help address your carpal tunnel symptoms. 

Some nonsurgical treatment options your physical therapist can use for carpal tunnel syndrome

Physical therapists are trained to treat many musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition, they learn how to use many natural and nonsurgical treatment methods. Many of these can help with carpal tunnel. A few of the techniques your therapist may use to help you include: 

1. Ergonomic training — Ergonomics is the study of how to make the workplace safer. However, many people don’t know how to apply ergonomic principles to their work area. Physical therapists can educate you on how to make your workplace safer. For your wrists, this may include options like:

• Using a vertical mouse. 
• Getting an ergonomic keyboard. 

2. Joint mobilization — Reducing restriction in your wrist can help carpal tunnel syndrome. One way a physical therapist can meet this goal is by using joint mobilization. 

This manual therapy technique involves your therapist using their hands. They use their hands to move your wrist through its normal range of motion (ROM). One study found that joint mobilization helped carpal tunnel patients reduce their pain by 3.5 points on the visual analogue scale after eight weeks. 

3. Therapeutic exercises — Stretching and strengthening the wrists can also help people with carpal tunnel. Physical therapists can help you meet these goals with therapeutic exercises. A study on carpal tunnel patients reveals that therapeutic exercises helped to: 

• Improve grip strength by more than four points on average. 
• Increase wrist flexion by nearly 6 centimeters on average. 
• Improve wrist extension by about 6.6 centimeters on average. 

Find effective nonsurgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome at Franklin Rehab

Are you looking for nonsurgical treatment for your carpal tunnel syndrome? Our physical therapists at Franklin Rehabilitation are ready and willing to help treat your carpal tunnel. We offer free screenings that can confirm that your wrist symptoms are being caused by this issue. Our specialists are also adept at building therapy plans that are unique to each patient’s needs. 

Contact our team today for more information about our carpal tunnel treatment options or to schedule your initial appointment.