Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition characterized by the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist1. This compression leads to various symptoms, with the main one being intermittent numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring fingers. This often occurs at night at greater intensity but can be bothersome during the day, particularly at the end of a work day.
Causes and Symptoms:
The primary cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is either typing or repetitive motion injuries2. Individuals with CTS may also experience a decrease in grip strength when attempting to grasp and lift objects, even as small as a coffee cup.
Treatment Options:
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Therapeutic interventions may include:
- Therapeutic ultrasound to target deep tissue inflammation and promote healing3
- Low-level cold laser therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief and muscle relaxation
- Acupuncture and dry needling
- Therapeutic cupping and Guasha
- Nerve gliding exercises to improve nerve mobility and reduce compression
Other treatment options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome aim to alleviate symptoms and improve overall wrist function. These include:
- Wrist splints or braces to support the wrist and reduce pressure on the median nerve
- Activity modifications to minimize repetitive hand movements
- Surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament in severe cases
Ergonomic Recommendations:
Adapting a more ergonomic work and life environment can help alleviate stress on the wrists. This may involve:
- Adjusting the height of the computer keyboard to maintain neutral wrist posture4
- Replacing the keyboard layout to reduce strain on the wrists during typing
References
- Sevy JO, Sina RE, Varacallo M. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Oct 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
books/NBK448179/ - Genova, A., Dix, O., Saefan, A., Thakur, M., & Hassan, A. (2020). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of Literature. Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), 12(3), e7333–e7333. https://doi.org/10.7759/
cureus.7333 - Chen, S., Qian, Y., Sun, Z., Liu, W., Sun, G., Liu, J., Wang, J., Wang, W., Zheng, Y., & Fan, C. (2022). Effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (the USTINCTS trial): study protocol for a three-arm, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12(4), e057541–e057541. https://doi.org/10.1136/
bmjopen-2021-057541 - Eghujovbo, V., & Kim, E. (2023). Investigating the influence of keyboard inclinations on sitting and standing workstations. Journal of Ergonomics, 1–26. https://10.1080/00140139.2023.
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