If you are experiencing signs of carpal tunnel and looking for carpal tunnel relief, Apex Manual Therapy can help. Our advanced physical therapists have obtained the highest level of orthopedic physical therapy training. They are recognized as Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT), a designation only 1,800 practitioners have earned. This educational achievement goes beyond the doctorate level.
At Apex Manual Therapy a fellow works one-on-one with patients to provide the very best carpal tunnel syndrome treatment.
If you live in the Greater Austin or Pflugerville, TX area schedule a free consultation with one of our advanced therapists. We guarantee you’ll see the difference in our approach and your results.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it runs under the flexor retinaculum in the wrist.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common carpal tunnel syndrome causes are:
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Pregnancy
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Trauma
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Tendonopathy
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Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
Sings of carpal tunnel are usually reserved to one hand but can occur in both. Carpal tunnel pain is usually worse at night. Since carpal tunnel is the compression of the median nerve, other carpal tunnel symptoms include:
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Numbness
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Tingling
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Burning
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Feeling of pins and needles
Carpal tunnel pain is due to compression of the flexor retinaculum which is located at the wrist, therefore carpal tunnel symptoms occur below the wrist. Symptoms above the wrist are not causes from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Treatment
The first step in carpal tunnel treatment is to identify the carpal tunnel syndrome causes.
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Pregnancy: unfortunately, not much can be done for this cause. Using a carpal tunnel splint at night to keep the wrist from bending further and keep the hands elevated can provide some carpal tunnel relief, but it’s minimal.
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Trauma: If your carpal tunnel pain is caused by trauma, your physical therapist must identify what structures became injured causing the median nerve to be compressed. This could include muscle and tendon strains, fractures or dislocations of bones or direct median nerve injuries.
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Tendonopathy: If carpal tunnel symptoms are caused by the tendon, a specific tendon training program is needed to provide carpal tunnel pain relief. Tendon training programs are based on the current state of the tendon. Too much, too little or the wrong type of tendon exercises will prolong tendon pain or worsen healing.
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Arthritis: If carpal tunnel syndrome causes are from arthritis, physical therapy must optimize movement to prevent further degeneration and decrease inflammation. Arthritis is caused by long term movement dysfunctions. If body mechanics are faulty for long time periods, the structures begin to breakdown. People often forget the body is not indestructible and structures will adapt to the demands placed on it.
Carpal Tunnel Therapy
Carpal tunnel therapy is based on what causes carpal tunnel. The goal of physical therapy is to
decrease compression on the median nerve.
If a nerve is compressed in one area, it leaves the rest of the nerve more susceptible to injury. This is
because axoplasm fluid flows along the nerve providing it with oxygen. Nerves are highly dependent on
oxygen. Human body mass is made up of 2% nerves. This 2% of our mass requires 20% of our oxygen.
When the nerve is compressed in two places, this is known as a double crush injury.
The median nerve is a group of nerves which originate in the cervical spine (neck), therefore a thorough
evaluation of the cervical spine is required to determine the most effective carpal tunnel remedies that
will provide carpal tunnel pain relief.
For carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in Greater Austin area or Pflugerville, TX schedule a free consultation with our advanced therapists.
