Pain | Physiotherapy for carpal tunnel syndrome

Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain especially when the pressure on the median nerves is very high. Due to severe swelling and further progression of the disease, grasping movements, bending movements and pressure in particular lead to severe pain in the wrist, which severely restricts the affected person in their daily life. For relief, painkilling medication, physiotherapeutic exercises or special tape equipment and bandages are prescribed to provide support. The article “Physiotherapy for swelling and nodules in the finge joints” may also be of interest to you in this regard.

Tape or bandage?

Tapes and bandages are used relatively frequently in carpal tunnel syndrome to: Tapes are usually applied by pre-stretching the wrist. This should only be done by an experienced therapist. Classic tape bandages can be used for application, but the so-called kinesiotapes are used more frequently.

A bandage is mainly used when patients suffer from severe pain. The bandage keeps the wrist in a neutral position, which is especially advantageous at night, as unconscious movements and bending of the wrist can worsen the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is important that the bandage should also be taken off in between times and that intensive strengthening and stretching exercises should also be performed so that the structures in the wrist do not atrophy and become immobile due to the gentle position. Whether a bandage or a tape in your case is a possibility to support the therapy is best clarified with your treating physician or physiotherapist, who will then assess the individual situation.

  • Relieve pain
  • To relieve affected structures
  • To relax and support

Pregnancy

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common disease during pregnancy. This is because the development of the carpal tunnel system is favored by the physical changes during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the hormonal changes lead to increased water retention in the tissue, which causes it to swell.

The swelling of the connective tissue can cause the median nerve to be compressed, especially in anatomically already narrow areas, such as the carpal tunnel on the wrist, and thus the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can occur. The good news is that after pregnancy the symptoms usually subside by themselves when the body returns to its normal state. As pregnant women are limited in their choice of medication, the therapy of carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy consists mainly of targeted exercises and measures to relieve pain, such as applying a tape or wearing a bandage during the night.