If your hands and wrists are constantly tingling, numb, or painful, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. This common repetitive stress injury affects over 3 million Americans each year. Fortunately, physical therapy offers effective, non-surgical treatment options to manage carpal tunnel syndrome. Specialized clinics like Polygon Physical Therapy provide customized physical therapy programs to relieve hand and wrist pain right in Houston’s North Loop area. Let’s learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Therapy in North Loop that you can experience.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel in your wrist. This causes inflammation, pain, numbness, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. Symptoms usually start gradually and worsen over time. Common signs include:
- Tingling, burning, itching, or shock-like sensations in the fingers and hand
- Numbness or reduced feeling in the fingers
- Weakened grip strength
- Throbbing, shooting, or aching pain in the wrist/hand
- Discomfort radiating up the arm
- Fingers feeling swollen even though there’s no visible swelling
- Nighttime pain or numbness that disturbs sleep
- Clumsiness handling objects
Causes and Risk Factors
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from anything causing pressure on the median nerve. While meeting a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist in North Loop, it is important to understand these risk factors too. Contributing factors include:
- Repetitive hand motions from work, sports, or hobbies
- Wrist trauma or fracture
- Pregnancy due to fluid retention
- Arthritis/bone spurs narrowing the carpal tunnel
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
- Fluid retention from menopause or menstrual cycles
Jobs requiring extensive computer use, assembly line work, manufacturing, typing, welding, carpentry, and dental/surgical procedures increase risk. Genetics can also play a role. Pain is often worse at night or first thing in the morning.
Relieving Pain with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist in North Loop
Carpal tunnel syndrome won’t disappear on its own – it gradually worsens without treatment. But there are ways to manage symptoms and avoid surgery through conservative care like physical therapy. At Polygon Physical Therapy’s North Loop clinic, experienced therapists perform a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the source of median nerve compression. They then create a customized program using the following techniques:
- Graston technique – Specialized tools are rubbed over the skin to break up scar tissue adhesions and improve mobility of the wrist and hand.
- Massage – Relaxes muscles, increases blood flow, and relieves nerve pressure.
- Ultrasound – Sound waves stimulate blood flow and help reduce inflammation.
- TENS therapy – Mild electrical stimulation blocks pain signals to the wrist and hand.
- Splinting – Custom splints keep the wrist in a neutral position to minimize pressure on the median nerve. Worn at night or during activities.
- Nerve and tendon gliding – Special exercises move the median nerve and tendons to maintain proper sliding motion.
- Posture correction – Fixing alignment issues like forward head posture to avoid nerve compression.
- Joint mobilization – The therapist applies controlled force to restore normal motion to stiff joints.
- Stretching and strengthening – Stretches improve flexibility and exercises strengthen muscles to stabilize the wrist joint.
Your therapist will also analyze repetitive tasks either at work or home that could be irritating the median nerve. They can suggest modified movements and ergonomic solutions like wrist pads, grip devices, and changing hand positions. This will help you to get the best Physical Therapy for Wrist in North Loop. Taking frequent breaks from repetitive hand motions is also recommended. Stress management and relaxation techniques may be incorporated to reduce muscle tension in the forearms, wrists, and hands.
The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
- Non-invasive pain relief
- Avoidance of surgery
- Improved range of motion and flexibility
- Reduced nerve irritation
- Increased strength and function
- Manage symptoms during pregnancy
- Drug-free treatment
- Consistent long-term relief
Studies show around 75% of carpal tunnel patients find sustained improvement from conservative physical therapy treatments and are able to avoid surgery. The key is starting treatment in the early stages for the best outcomes. Don’t delay seeking help for nagging wrist and hand pain. To get excellent results, you should look for the Best Carpal Tunnel Syndrome therapists in North Loop.
Give Yourself the Gift of Pain-Free Hands
Life is difficult when your hands and wrists constantly ache and tingle from carpal tunnel syndrome. But surgery doesn’t have to be the only solution. The physical therapists at Polygon Physical Therapy provide personalized non-surgical treatments to effectively manage carpal tunnel and get your hands functioning comfortably again. Reach out to their North Loop clinic today to schedule a thorough evaluation. They’ll get to the root of your wrist pain so you can get back to all the activities you enjoy.
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