With those first few wrist twinges, you may start to research what is carpal tunnel and what it isn’t. As the condition progresses, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms become unmistakable. Many people worry that surgery is their only hope to ease this chronic problem. However, other carpal tunnel syndrome therapy options exist.
In this article:
- What Causes Carpal Tunnel?
- Common Symptoms
- Traditional Treatments
- Conservative Therapies
- Newest Alternatives Using Stem Cell Therapy
What Is Carpal Tunnel And How To Cope With It
The carpal tunnel itself is a canal running along the inside of your wrist. Ligaments, bones, and nerves pass through this tunnel. Together, they connect your hand and fingers to your forearm.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel?
The median nerve is one of the fibers which runs through the carpal tunnel. If it becomes compressed, your hand, fingers, wrists, or forearms can lose some of their function.
Within its carpal tunnel casing, the median nerve is surrounded by tissue, bones, and ligaments. That means a number of factors can put pressure on the nerve. Fractured bones and related tissue swelling can compress the nerve. So can water retention from pregnancy and menopause. Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause swelling within the carpal tunnel. In addition, the median nerve itself can become damaged. This harm can happen through a direct injury or through a nerve-damaging disease such as diabetes.
People with smaller carpal tunnels are more likely to have “crowding” within the canals. This lack of space sometimes compresses the median nerve. It’s also been established that since women have smaller carpal tunnels, they are more prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms than men are.
Common Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms often happen when you are trying to do specific actions that engage the wrist. Patients often feel the effects of the pinched nerve while typing, driving, or reading. They may also find that parts of their lower arms will suddenly go numb or begin tingling. Shooting pains may travel from the wrist up through the length of the arm.
Often, hand and finger weakness is another significant part of carpal tunnel syndrome. You may find that you literally cannot hold onto something when your wrists are in certain positions. You may be completely unable to move your thumb altogether. The median nerve controls thumb functionality.
Some people with carpal tunnel syndrome are wakened from sleep by pain or a “shocked” sensation in their wrists, arms, or hands. Their sleeping positions often put pressure on the already over-stressed median nerve.
To confirm a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis, your doctor will discuss your symptoms. You’ll also be asked to move your hands and wrists into various positions. An X-ray can determine if there are contributing factors that also need to be addressed, such as fractures or inflammation. Devices that measure nerve or muscle function may also be used.
Traditional Treatments
Severe cases of carpal tunnel may require surgery. The problematic ligament causing damage is cut during open surgery or endoscopic surgery. The latter involves using a tiny camera for the surgeon to find where he needs to cut. Endoscopic surgery typically results in less pain during the recovery period. But with either type of operation, recovery can take months. Both surgeries carry the risk of scar formation, nerve damage, vein injuries, and internal wounds.
Nonsurgical options include corticosteroid injections to ease swelling and pain. Prescription anti-inflammatories can also reduce some swelling and discomfort.
Conservative Therapies
Many patients seek alternatives to surgery, injections, and medications. These carpal tunnel syndrome therapy methods can often help with moderate forms of the condition.
A physical therapist can take you through special hand and forearm motions that add wrist flexibility. Physical therapy also strengthens the wrist’s supporting muscles to take the pressure off the median nerve. There is often an occupational therapy component to a carpal tunnel PT session. This helps patients learn ways to perform daily tasks with less strain to the affected area.
Your doctor may also suggest wearing a splint at night to relieve pressure and numbness. Yoga has also been shown to help patients with carpal tunnel by improving strength and flexibility through targeted upper body moves.
Some patients also turn to ultrasound therapy for healing and pain reduction. The ultrasound devices gently warm and soothe swollen tissue. Over several sessions, this may decrease carpal tunnel symptoms. Results are mixed, but this option is less aggressive than surgery.
Your doctor or physical therapist can also advise you on home treatments to continue your healing. Icing the area, as well as training yourself not to put weight on your hands during sleep, can both make a big difference.
You may also find that an anti-inflammatory diet and a weight loss program reduce tissue swelling and excess fluid. Performing carpal tunnel exercises and taking a break from the keyboard are also important aspects of at-home recovery.
Newest Alternatives Using Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is an outpatient procedure that many patients find to be more effective than conservative treatment. Typically, this carpal tunnel syndrome therapy involves less risk and recovery time than carpal tunnel surgery.
Stem cells are able to impact the body part into which they are implanted by multiplying quickly and releasing cues that are received by the cells around them. When injected into the areas which are applying pressure on the median nerve, carpal tunnel may be eased through a reduction of inflammation, and potentially, a better regulated immune response.
Depending on the stem cell specialist performing the carpal tunnel treatment, the stem cells used may be processed from the patient’s bloodstream, fat tissue, or alternative source. As mentioned, the therapy also takes advantage of the anti-inflammatory properties of stem cells. This anti-swelling translates into less pressure on the median nerve. In turn, patients experience less pain and immobility in their hands, wrists, and forearms.
Seeking More Info on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Are your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms interfering with your ability to work and complete other daily tasks? Alternatives to surgery do exist. Your doctor can advise you about conservative and alternative carpal tunnel syndrome therapy options. Whether you’re starting with anti-inflammatory medication and frequent icing, or exploring stem cell therapy, carpal tunnel can often be effectively treated without surgery.
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Which of the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are you experiencing? Let us know in the comments section.
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