
“So you’ll be able to use your hand right away, so long as you’re not handling anything super heavy. Continue exploring the area for other tender spots and repeat. “You can do it endoscopically,” Badia says. Carpal tunnel exercises Place the bottom of your affected wrist on the mini massage ball. Tendon gliding exercises are often a useful tool to manage the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. “If your carpal tunnel is really mechanically compressing median nerve, there’s really not a ton you can do to really and permanently relieve that pressure,” says Badia.īut don’t fret - apparently, as surgeries go, this one is a piece of cake. We’re not going to sugarcoat it: Severe carpal tunnel requires surgery. “A great PT will help target the weak muscles in the affected area and help you make them stronger, which can relieve symptoms.” Surgery Physical therapy is far more than supervised exercise. “Search for community-based care or student intern clinics for more affordable options.” Work with a physical therapistĭarbouze recommends seeking the care of a physical therapist. “I’m an advocate for trying acupuncture with a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor,” says Darbouze. “Research has shown it functions like a physiologic diuretic, decreasing swelling around the nerve, and so I recommend supplementing with them.” Acupuncture Even severe symptoms can be wiped away with this 3-punch approach to treatment. But add myofascial release massage, and your carpal tunnel doesn’t stand a chance of bothering you. When you keep your wrist in a straight, neutral position, it takes the pressure off your median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome exercises combined with night bracing is a powerful fighter of this disorder. He also regularly recommends a vitamin B6 supplement for folks with mild carpal tunnel syndrome. If you can, avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. The syndrome usually affects only adults. The wrist and hand may become painful, weak or numb. “The proper dosage of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory with food before bed can help,” says Badia. It occurs when a nerve is squeezed or pinched at the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the inner side of the wrist. He adds not to wear splints all day you because you can actually risk atrophying your wrist muscles. Why at night? Because that’s when folks are most likely to knock their wrists in syndrome-exacerbating ways, he says.

“For early carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s very common for doctors to prescribe that a patient wear a splint at night,” says Badia.
Carpal tunnel exercises how to#
We actually did a whole article on how to create a sustainable work-from-home setup. “Set up your workstation so that the monitor is eye level and an arm’s length away, the elbows are in line with the wrists, the mouse is nearby, the thighs are parallel to the floor, and the feet are planted,” suggests Darbouze. The protocols will vary based on your pain level but could include any combo of the following: Adjust your positioningĪt your desk 8+ hours a day? The quickest remedy for folks whose symptoms are aggravated by their job is a desk makeover.
