Carpal tunnel syndrome

Cause

There usually isn’t one definitive cause of carpal tunnel syndrome but more related to lifestyle factors. Because the carpal tunnel is narrow and rigid, anytime there is swelling or inflammation in the area, the median nerve can be compressed and cause pain. Symptoms may be present in one or both hands but most commonly the dominant hand.

Effects

Carpal tunnel develops slowly, at first you’re most likely to notice it at night or when you first wake up in the morning. The feeling is similar to the “pins and needles” sensation you get when your hand falls asleep. During the day, you may notice pain or tingling when holding things like a cell phone, book, or when driving. 

As carpal tunnel syndrome progresses, you may begin to notice weakness in the thumb and first two fingers, and it may be difficult to make a fist or grasp objects. you may find yourself dropping things, or you may have trouble doing things like holding utensils or buttoning your shirt. 

At first, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may come and go, but as the condition worsens, symptoms may become constant. Pain may radiate up into the shoulder. Over time, if untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause the muscles on the thumb side of your hand to atrophy.

Treatment

Structural physiotherapy: manual corrective techniques are performed to focus on balancing the muscles fascia systems of the body to improve range of motion, posture, and support pain free movement.

Postural alignment therapy: designed specifically for your body, re-patterning exercises are a great way to promote proper body position and connect the brain to muscles pathway letting the muscles and fascia relearn correct posture and movement. 

Mobility Therapy: at structura we have a great selection of self care mobility tools used to balance join mechanics, promote proper gliding between muscles and connective tissue, and re-educate neuromuscular pathways that can limit range of motion of the body. 

Kinetic Taping: special kinesiology tape is used to decrease pain, decompress tissue and provide support while allowing for full range of motion. 

Instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation: IASTM is a great way for the therapist to interact with connective tissue and the nerve roots that innervate them. Using a stainless-steel tool with a treatment edge to enhance specific desired results from the tissues to the tool is being applied to. IASTM is used to help with pain mitigation promotion of tissue glide, regulation or nervous tissue, and fluid capture. 

Rockpods (cupping): cupping has been around for a long time and has been used to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and well-being. At structura we use silicone pods as a way to decompress through tissues and improve neurosensory effects. (l.e body awareness, improved tactile acuity, perception and control). 

Rockfloss: compression band therapy is a manual technique that we use to help improve range of motion, fluid regulation in the body, pain mitigation, and improve recovery.