Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve — which runs from your forearm into your palm through a narrow passageway in your wrist called the carpal tunnel — gets compressed. That pressure leads to the classic tingling, numbness, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.

For most people, symptoms start subtly: waking up at night needing to shake out the hand, dropping coffee cups, or feeling pins-and-needles after long stretches at a keyboard. Left untreated, it can progress to constant numbness and grip weakness. The good news: caught early, the vast majority of cases resolve with conservative physical therapy — no surgery needed.

• Numbness and tingling in thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Weakness in grip
• Pain that worsens at night
• Dropping objects frequently

• Repetitive wrist motions (typing, assembly work, cashier scanning)
• Prolonged wrist flexion during sleep
• Pregnancy-related fluid retention
• Underlying conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis
• Wrist fracture or arthritis narrowing the tunnel

• Office workers, programmers, and assembly-line workers
• Women (3x more likely than men)
• People with smaller wrist anatomy
• Pregnant women in the third trimester
• Anyone with diabetes or hypothyroidism

At Physical Therapy Now you'll work one-on-one with a licensed PT who starts by confirming the diagnosis with simple clinical tests (Phalen's, Tinel's, nerve tension testing). Early treatment focuses on calming the nerve down: nerve glides, soft-tissue work on the forearm flexors, and a custom-fit night splint to keep your wrist neutral while you sleep. We may also use modalities like ultrasound or kinesiology taping to reduce inflammation in the tunnel.

As symptoms ease, we shift to strengthening the grip, restoring wrist mobility, and addressing what caused the issue in the first place — usually a combination of posture, workstation set-up, and movement habits. We'll do a hands-on ergonomic assessment and teach you micro-breaks and stretches you can actually fit into your workday.

If your symptoms aren't improving in 2-3 weeks, are getting worse, or starting to limit daily activities, call us or schedule an appointment online today — early intervention almost always means a faster, fuller recovery.

Most patients feel meaningful relief within 2-4 weeks and reach full resolution in 6-12 weeks with consistent care. Long-standing cases or those with constant numbness may take longer but still respond well to PT.

• Wear a neutral wrist splint at night — this alone helps 50%+ of patients
• Take a 30-second wrist stretch every hour during keyboard work
• Adjust your workstation so wrists stay straight, not bent up or down
• Avoid sleeping on your hands or curled-up wrists
• Ice the inside of your wrist for 10 minutes after long typing sessions

These tips support recovery but don't replace a professional evaluation. If you're unsure or symptoms worsen, please reach out.