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Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome, showing how the muscles at the base of the thumb have wasted away (atrophied)
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is actually a very common condition of the wrist and hand that can affect the use of the whole arm. The main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the nerve at the base of the palm (median nerve).
Because of the demands that people place on their hands and wrists, CTS is a common condition affecting 1 out of 20 Americans (that's a 5% rate). Surgery for this condition is commonly performed on the wrist and hand (called "carpal tunnel release surgery").
Fortunately for most people who develop CTS, hand physical therapy treatment can often provide
Every one has a very narrow/tight tunnel in the wrist, and this is called the carpal tunnel (because it's a tunnel at/near the carpal bones of the wrist). There is a number of structures (including the median nerve) that goes into and through this tight tunnel, and what the carpal tunnel does is that it protects the median nerve and the tendons that bend your fingers.
However, due to a variety of causes/injuries, there can be a build-up of pressure on the median nerve that when compressed, will cause
If the pressure is unresolved, over time it will lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Extreme wrist positions, as well as a lot of finger use, especially with a lot of force or vibration (such as holding the steering wheel when driving heavy machinery), can all contribute to CTS.
CTS is common in professions such as assembly-line work, particularly meat packing; and jobs requiring the use of hand tools, especially tools that vibrate.
Yes, eventhough excessive mobile phone, keyboard and computer use is often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, those performing assembly line work are 3 times more likely to develop CTS than those who perform data entry work.
Some leisure activities can also create CTS, such as
The following health conditions can also lead to CTS in some individuals:
And yes, direct injuries and traumas like falls and blows can cause CTS too.
CTS usually starts gradually, with symptoms such as
Often the symptoms are more noticeable during the night, and individuals often report being wakened with symptoms. Many people feel the need to "shake / shake out" their hands to try to relieve the uncomfortable CTS symptoms.
As the condition progresses, the symptoms are noticed during the daytime and are noticeable or becomes worse when using their hands with a repetitive/resistance/weighted activity such as
Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience weakness of the hand and more constant numbness may occur
if the pressure on the median nerve continues (and if still not treated with hand therapy). Some patients report that they drop
objects unexpectedly or have a weakness in their grips without realizing it.
Our senior hand therapists work closely with doctors to accurately diagnose and treat CTS.
Symptoms of CTS are typical, and it is often possible to diagnose it without extensive testing. Our senior hand therapists are experts in the movement and function of the body and will conduct an evaluation to determine all of the factors that may be contributing to your condition.
These are several tests that may be used to help diagnose CTS:
In some cases, our senior hand therapist may refer you to a physician or our senior physiotherapist for additional testing or treatment.
After the evaluation, we will prescribe your treatment plan based on your specific case.
Conservative Care
If your evaluation confirms early-stage CTS, conservative care will be recommended as a first step.
Hand therapy treatment can be effective in reducing your symptoms and getting you back to performing normal activities. During your first visit with our senior hand therapist, be prepared to describe your symptoms in as much detail as possible, and say what makes your symptoms worse.
Depending upon the causes of your CTS, your hand therapy program may include:
We will also consider your home and leisure activities, with recommendations such as wearing gloves to keep the wrist/hands warm and limiting sports that aggravate the condition, such as racquet sports, until symptoms resolve.
The goals of hand therapy are to reduce your symptoms without the need for surgery, to enable you to be as active and functional as possible, and to help you resume your normal work, home, and leisure activities.
Hand Therapy Following Surgery
If the evaluation reveals that your CTS is more severe, or if your symptoms persist, our senior hand therapists and physiotherapists may refer you to a physician for a surgical consultation. If necessary, surgery will be performed to release the band of tissue that is causing pressure on the median nerve.
Hand therapy treatment is important after surgery to help restore strength to the wrist and to learn to modify habits that may have led to symptoms in the first place.
Your hand therapy treatment may include:
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Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.
HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING
Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to
Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes
REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES
Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.
It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.
You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime / recovery period required.
It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.
Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).
See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.
At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.
Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.
We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.
We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.
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