Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The carpal tunnel—a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand—houses the median nerve and the tendons that bend the fingers.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome CTS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. When the synovium swells, it takes up space in the carpal tunnel and, over time, crowds the nerve. This abnormal pressure on the nerve can result in pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
What is CTS neurology?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | American Association of Neurological Surgeons. www.aans.org/Patients. Page of. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common problem affecting hand function, caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
What are the main causes of carpal tunnel?
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • diabetes.
  • thyroid dysfunction.
  • fluid retention from pregnancy or menopause.
  • high blood pressure.
  • autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
  • fractures or trauma to the wrist.
What is the difference between carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel syndrome?
The difference is that carpal tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve at the wrist, and it’s the median nerve. And cubital tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve at the elbow, and it’s the ulnar nerve.
Does carpal tunnel go away on its own?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness, and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.
Can you fix carpal tunnel without surgery?

Nonsurgical therapy

If the condition is diagnosed early, nonsurgical methods may help improve carpal tunnel syndrome, including Wrist splinting. A splint that holds your wrist still while you sleep can help relieve nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness.

What are the warning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Health Tip: Warning Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Numbness, tingling, or pain, especially on the thumb side of the hand.
  • A false feeling of being shocked, especially affecting the thumb and nearby fingers.
  • Pain that radiates toward the shoulder.
  • In severe cases, muscles at the base of the thumb become noticeably distorted.

Do you see a neurologist for carpal tunnel?
A neurologist can determine if you will need surgery to treat your carpal tunnel syndrome. A diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is determined by a neurologist performing a nerve conduction study.
How long does carpal tunnel usually last?
The muscles of the hands or wrists are weak and actually getting smaller because of the severe pinching of the median nerve. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome have lasted 6 months or longer with no relief.
What happens if carpal tunnel is left untreated?
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb. Treatment can relieve pressure on the nerve and, for most people, eliminate their symptoms. The carpal tunnel is a small passageway on the palm side of your wrist.
Does carpal tunnel go away?
Most of the time, carpal tunnel syndrome gets cured and doesn’t come back. If you have a severe case, surgery can help, but your symptoms may not go away completely.
What exercises can I do for carpal tunnel?
Wrist flexor stretch
  • Extend your arm in front of you with your palm up.
  • Bend your wrist, pointing your hand toward the floor.
  • With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
  • Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.
Is heat or ice better for carpal tunnel?
Heat Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Unlike ice therapy, heat therapy relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood flow. This can be beneficial as it helps deliver oxygen to healing muscles, letting the body recover from injury faster. It is also an effective way to manage wrist pain in the short-term.
What foods are bad for carpal tunnel?
Foods that promote inflammation such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, and fried foods should be avoided. Foods that reduce inflammation in the body include fresh fruit, vegetables, and foods high in omega-3, including linseeds, chia seeds, fish, nuts, and seeds.

Does massage help carpal tunnel?

Massage therapy is an effective way to help relieve CTS-related symptoms and can be used as a preventative measure. Massage therapy can help treat CTS by reducing inflammation, pain, and numbness in the carpal tunnel. This happens by lengthening the muscles and fascia in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and hand.
Many patients have had success using massage as a treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Massage helps relieve the symptoms of CTS by helping break down scar tissue and reducing swelling in the muscles of the wrist and forearm, caused by damage or overextension in the work environment.

If your doctor diagnoses you with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), you may wonder what you can do to help relieve symptoms. The symptoms of this condition include tingling, numbness, and pain that starts in the hand and fingers and radiates up your arm. When there is constant pressure on your median nerve, the main nerve to your hand, you will have pain. Repetitive wrist movements may cause thickening or swelling of your wrist tendons, causing this pressure. Using tools all day, turning a wrench, playing an instrument, sleeping in an awkward position, and poor office ergonomics can contribute to CTS.

TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS)

Steroids or anti-inflammatory medications are a traditional treatment for CTS. The help provided by these medicines only lasts for as long as you take the pills. You may have to deal with their side effects too. A doctor may also splint your wrist to limit movement. The splinting helps you to avoid hurting your wrist while sleeping, but it can actually make things worse during the day and increase swelling.

SURGERY FOR CTS

It is common for doctors to prescribe surgery to sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. The swollen carpal ligament is cut to create space for the median nerve. This reduces the constant compression on that nerve. The surgery is not a magic cure-all that will relieve every CTS symptom. Even after surgery, some people still experience pain, numbness, and tingling. For those who do have a successful surgery, there is no guarantee that the relief will last. This is especially true if you go back to the hobby or work that caused CTS to begin with.

AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: MASSAGE

Massage therapy is not always considered a treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome. But, it has enabled many patients to rid themselves of this condition, or at the very least, has given them significant pain reduction. Massage works to ease CTS symptoms by breaking down scar tissue and any adhesions in the muscles of your wrist and forearm. These are caused by overuse or trauma. Restoring full elasticity to your muscles, reducing friction on inflamed muscles, and allowing you to move your wrist more freely is the goal of massage therapy.

When your wrist is massaged, the practitioner will stretch the ligaments and tendons. This further helps your recovery by relieving the pressure put on the median nerve by those ligaments and tendons. You should experience the elimination of any pain or tingling during the massage.

 

more info at:

https://www.nhpcanada.org/blog/articles.html?id=74&title=Finding-Relief-From-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome

https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/massage-and-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/

PRO Massage by Nicola. LMT
PRO Massage by Nicola. LMT

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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