Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you are suffering from pain, numbness, and weakness in the wrist and hand, there is a good chance you may be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. The good news is that many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated with physical therapy rather than surgery.

Surprisingly, almost 50% of all work-related injuries are linked in some way to carpal tunnel syndrome – resulting in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. In fact, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss.

P.T. for Early Intervention in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Although carpal tunnel surgery may be necessary when the symptoms are severe, early intervention with physical therapy (“P.T.”)can help avoid surgery in many cases.

Remember that treating carpal tunnel syndrome as early as possible after your symptoms start is your best bet for keeping the condition from advancing to the point where you need surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and do not get it treated, it can last a long time and will typically get considerably worse – eventually making it impossible to work and typically requiring surgical intervention.

What is Better Physical Therapy or Surgery for Carpal Tunnel?

In a study published by the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy in 2017, evidence indicated that physical therapy was as effective as surgery at treating carpal tunnel syndrome in cases of early intervention. Those researchers found that after one year, those patients who had physical therapy (focusing on manual therapy of the neck and median nerve, combined with stretching exercises) had outcomes similar to those of patients who had surgery.

Additionally, the physical therapy patients showed faster improvement at the one month mark than those patients who had carpal tunnel surgery.

As a further consideration, more than a third of patients who have carpal tunnel surgery do not return to work within 8 weeks after their operation. So, physical therapy may have the advantage of offering less time off of work.

Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

At Macomb Hand Surgery, we offer physical therapy and rehabilitation for carpal tunnel – in addition to surgical intervention when necessary.

Doctor Rehman can develop a treatment plan for you with our skilled and caring occupational therapists.

Sheila Malone, BS, OTR is a certified occupational therapist with over twenty years of experience in hand and wrist therapy. Michelle Schneider, BS, OTR/L, CHT is a certified hand therapist (CHT) with extensive training and more than ten years of experience in occupational/hand therapy.

Read More about Our Hand Therapists HERE.

Clarkston Area Carpal Tunnel Doctor

If you are suffering from the pain, numbness and tingling of carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy offers strong evidence-based treatment options to help you recover – without the potential downtime or side effects of surgery.

Call us today for an appointment and evaluation with Doctor Rehman, and she will help you determine if trying physical therapy first is a good option for you.

Clarkston Area Carpal Tunnel Doctor: 248.335.2638