Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Sometimes, physical therapy or special hand exercises can relieve mild to moderate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Gliding exercises

Some people who do not get adequate relief from splints and activity modification do get more relief when these treatments are combined with nerve and tendon gliding exercises. Gliding exercises alone may help, but usually not as much as when combined with other treatments.

Tendon gliding exercises

• You move your fingers through five positions with your wrist in a neutral (unbent) position.

Median nerve gliding exercises

• You move your hand through six positions while your wrist is in a neutral position.

During both types of gliding exercises, you maintain each position for seven seconds. Repeat each set of exercises five times, three to five times each day.

Gliding exercises relieve pressure on the median nerve. During the exercises, your median nerve is exposed to a higher pressure, followed by a lower pressure. The pressure changes are believed to shift the point on the median nerve that's under the most pressure as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The exercises may also loosen and stretch the carpal ligaments, further easing pressure. Gliding exercises may also encourage movement of blood out of the carpal tunnel, further relieving fluid pressure on the nerve. Similarly, the exercises may help reduce water retention in the carpal tunnel.

Exercises and physical therapy does not change the natural course of carpal tunnel syndrome, which tends to worsen over time. These treatments are typically most effective in temporarily relieving symptoms of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep in mind, though, if you change how you do routine activities and treat any underlying medical condition that might be worsening your carpal tunnel syndrome, you may notice permanent improvement.

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