At Group23 Sports Medicine Clinic in Calgary, our physiotherapists frequently treat carpal tunnel syndrome—one of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain. In this post, we’ll explain what carpal tunnel syndrome is, how it affects your daily life, and why early physiotherapy intervention can make a big difference.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist that encloses the median nerve, which carries signals from your brain to your hand. Imagine it like a house:
- Floor: Carpal bones (wrist bones)
- Walls: Tendons from your forearm muscles (your finger flexors)
- Roof: A strong band of tissue covering the tunnel
- Garden hose: The median nerve running through the center
When the median nerve gets pinched or compressed inside this tunnel, it disrupts communication between your brain and hand—leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The median nerve affects the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and sometimes half of the ring finger. Common symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers
- Loss of pinch grasp strength
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks (dropping things)
These symptoms often worsen at night, as sleeping positions can bend your wrists and increase pressure on the nerve.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
One of the first steps in managing carpal tunnel syndrome is nighttime bracing. At Group23 Calgary, we often recommend the Motion Manager or Wrist Lacer brace, which:
- Wraps comfortably around the wrist to prevent excessive flexion
- Keeps the median nerve protected while you sleep
- Holds the wrist joint in its most open / relaxed position
- Fits comfortably—like a good pair of shoes, it shouldn’t be too tight or too loose
Beyond bracing, our certified hand therapists may use:
- Manual therapy to relieve pressure (working on surrounding joints and muscles)
- Nerve gliding exercises to improve mobility of the nerve along it’s path
- Ergonomic coaching to reduce strain during daily activities
- Home Exercise program to regain any lost mobility and strength and optimize movement patterns
These treatments aim to restore function, reduce pain, and prevent symptoms from worsening or returning.
Don’t Wait to Treat Carpal Tunnel
Many people delay seeking help, hoping symptoms will resolve on their own. But early intervention can prevent long-term nerve damage and potential surgery, and significantly improve your quality of life.
If you’re experiencing hand or wrist pain, tingling, or weakness, book a consultation with our Group23 Hand and Wrist Physiotherapy team today. Our expert therapists are here to help you regain strength and comfort in your hands.
📞 Call us at (403) 284-4040 or visit https://group23.com to book your appointment.