In some people who tend to use their hands repetitively, the space between the carpal bones and the sheath tightens up compromising the carpal tunnel. When the space of the carpal tunnel is reduced the Median nerve gets compressed causing what is known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Symptoms include pain, weakness and numbness along the distribution of the nerve.
Physiotherapy intervention aims to relieve the pressure in the tunnel by improving the mobility of the joints and the extensibility of the ligament (transverse carpal ligament) and to restore the strength of the muscles affected by the condition mainly muscles of the thumb. This is carried on by mobilizing techniques of the wrist and hand bones, stretching of the musculature crossing the wrist and by applying some “flossing techniques” to the median nerve that will ease up the entrapment and restore the gliding capacity of the nerve. Ultrasound can be used also to improve the deep circulation in the area and electrical muscle stimulation can be used to stimulate the weak muscles.
In some advance cases which don’t respond to physiotherapy, surgical intervention is the alternative. The surgery is about releasing the Transverse Carpal Ligament thus reducing the compression on the nerve.