Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition
that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand, fingers and thumb.
It is caused by compression of the median nerve that controls movement
and sensation in the hand as it passes through the narrow passage in the wrist. The median nerve is responsible for two main functions:
- relaying physical sensations - such as your sense of touch from your hand to your brain
- relaying nerve signals - from your brain to your hand, allowing you to move your thumb
The symptoms of CTS usually develop gradually and tend to start off being worse at night or in the morning. Other possible symptoms include a dull ache or discomfort in the hand or forearm; a burning or prickling sensation in the hand, and weakness in the thumb when trying to bend it away from the palm.
Treatment for CTS depends on the severity of the condition and how long you have had it. In mild conditions, wrist splints and taping (as demonstrated by the photo below) may help to relieve symptoms, as they prevent the wrist from bending, which can place pressure on the median nerve and aggravate symptoms. Surgery is usually only recommended for severe cases of CTS, when other treatment methods are unsuccessful or symptoms last more than 6 months.
Some rehabilitation exercises and stretches may prove to relieve symptoms, please contact me directly for more information on this.
- relaying physical sensations - such as your sense of touch from your hand to your brain
- relaying nerve signals - from your brain to your hand, allowing you to move your thumb
The symptoms of CTS usually develop gradually and tend to start off being worse at night or in the morning. Other possible symptoms include a dull ache or discomfort in the hand or forearm; a burning or prickling sensation in the hand, and weakness in the thumb when trying to bend it away from the palm.
Treatment for CTS depends on the severity of the condition and how long you have had it. In mild conditions, wrist splints and taping (as demonstrated by the photo below) may help to relieve symptoms, as they prevent the wrist from bending, which can place pressure on the median nerve and aggravate symptoms. Surgery is usually only recommended for severe cases of CTS, when other treatment methods are unsuccessful or symptoms last more than 6 months.
Some rehabilitation exercises and stretches may prove to relieve symptoms, please contact me directly for more information on this.
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