Are you experiencing wrist pain or discomfort during daily activities like typing, working in the yard, or even driving? Repetitive wrist strain and carpal tunnel syndrome don’t just affect office workers. Anyone can develop chronic pain in the wrist from things like craft hobbies or physical labor.
But not every pain or symptom affecting the wrist is carpal tunnel, even though it might be the most obvious one to self-diagnose. To avoid doing at-home treatments that may make your issue worse, it’s important to fully understand your symptoms and maybe even get a professional evaluation.
What does carpal tunnel syndrome feel like?
While wrist pain can come from a variety of issues, carpal tunnel syndrome has distinct features unique in how it feels. Here are the hallmark symptoms:
- Pain in the wrist or hand: This includes discomfort specifically in the palm area. It might feel like an ache, heavy tension, or soreness that doesn’t go away.
- Tingling or numbness: You may notice a “pins and needles” sensation or numbness that mostly affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Some people also feel a “buzzing” or vibration-like tingling that can travel up the wrist and into the palm.
- Weakened grip or difficulty with fine motor skills: Grasping or manipulating objects becomes harder as the condition progresses. Dropping your phone or struggling to button a shirt can be frustrating signs of a weakened grip.
These symptoms can feel a little spread out, like they’re coming from deep in the wrist, as opposed to a cut or bruise where the pain feels more surface-level. People suffering from carpal tunnel may not always have sharp pain, but their grip and fine motor skills often get worse as the condition progresses.
Cause of carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms arise when the median nerve becomes compressed due to swelling or inflammation inside the narrow “tunnel” in your wrist it travels through. This means that anything that causes swelling or inflammation in this tunnel can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
- Repetitive movements: Activities such as typing, using tools, or playing musical instruments can strain the wrist, causing inflammation that could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Underlying health conditions: Diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy, and hormonal changes can make you more susceptible to symptoms of swelling and inflammation throughout the body, including the carpal tunnel.
- Improper wrist positioning: Holding your wrist in awkward positions for long periods, such as during activities like working at a computer or driving, can restrict blood flow and contribute to nerve compression.
Understanding the cause of your discomfort is vital since effective treatment depends on addressing what triggered your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in the first place.
Treating carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel is among the most commonly and successfully treated types of injury involving the wrist. This means that people often find relief without major interventions like surgery.
You can try a few things at home before seeking professional help for mild symptoms or those that aren’t completely debilitating:
- Rest and modify activities: If your symptoms are mild, reducing repetitive wrist movements or wearing a wrist brace can help alleviate strain.
- Anti-inflammatory treatments: Over-the-counter NSAIDs or specific treatments prescribed by your doctor can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Physical therapy plays a large part in making relief from chronic or intense wrist pain accessible to anyone, including our community here in Apache Junction. So if you’re starting to realize that your situation isn’t getting better on its own, it’s time to contact a medical professional like a Physical Therapist who can give you a proper diagnosis and start you on a treatment plan to feel back to normal.
Why choose physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome
We understand you have options and maybe other ideas about how to treat the pain in your wrist. When it comes to physical therapy, however, our experienced PTs use gentle, evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific symptoms and lifestyle. Benefits of coming to see our professionals for this type of injury can include:
- Personalized treatment plans: Each plan begins with a thorough assessment of your symptoms and the activities impacting your wrist health. From there, we design exercises and therapeutic interventions to improve flexibility, strength, and overall comfort.
- Tangible progress: Many of our patients report noticeable symptom relief within weeks, allowing them to return to activities they love with confidence.
- Long-term care and prevention: After your in-office treatments, we’ll guide you on how to adjust daily habits to prevent symptoms from returning, from ergonomic adjustments to at-home exercises.
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment at Continuum Wellness
If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome or are experiencing persistent wrist pain, it’s time to take the first step toward relief. Together, we’ll help you get back to living without pain.
Start a conversation with our team by requesting an appointment online or calling our clinic today!
