Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: How It Works, What to Expect, and Best Exercises

Carpal tunnel syndrome can make simple tasks — from typing on a keyboard to holding a cup of coffee — uncomfortable or painful. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve — which runs from your neck to the palm of your hand — gets temporarily compressed as it passes through a narrow space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. This pressure can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand and wrist, and even affect your whole arm, says Katie Schaner, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health.  

So what can you do about carpal tunnel syndrome to get relief? While surgery may be needed in severe cases, most people can effectively treat carpal tunnel with conservative approaches like physical therapy. In fact, research has found that physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome can be as effective as (and less expensive than) surgery. 

Read on to learn how physical therapy can treat carpal tunnel syndrome — and how digital providers like Hinge Health make it easy to access effective care.

Interested in getting a personalized plan for carpal tunnel syndrome? Learn more about Hinge Health’s digital physical therapy programs and see if you’re eligible.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

When carpal tunnel symptoms flare up, it’s natural to want to limit movement. But avoiding movement is actually not recommended for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Targeted hand and wrist exercises help restore flexibility, strength, and function, which relieves pain and helps you get back to doing your usual activities.

This is where physical therapy comes in. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques — including exercises, education, and ergonomic recommendations — to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A key component is exercise therapy, which is a plan of therapeutic exercises to relieve pain and manage conditions. At Hinge Health, physical therapists provide personalized exercise therapy plans as a core part of treatment, emphasizing that movement is medicine.

The above exercises are recommended by Hinge Health physical therapists for carpal tunnel syndrome. They are specifically designed to strengthen and stretch your wrist and hand muscles to help manage and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.

What to Expect at Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome is tailored to an individual’s specific needs, depending on the severity of their symptoms and overall health. The primary focus of physical therapy is to relieve carpal tunnel symptoms by reducing pressure on the median nerve and improving wrist mobility and hand and wrist function. Here’s more on what to expect.

• Stretching exercises for flexibility and mobility. A physical therapist will work on improving the flexibility of the muscles and tendons in your wrist and forearm to reduce stress on the carpal tunnel.

• Strengthening exercises. Strengthening the muscles in your hand, wrist, and forearm helps prevent muscle imbalances, which can improve wrist stability and function.

• Nerve function exercises. This involves restoring normal function of the median nerve by reducing pressure within the carpal tunnel. A physical therapist may recommend techniques such as nerve gliding exercises to improve nerve mobility and decrease irritation.

• Education. A physical therapist can help you manage carpal tunnel syndrome by offering valuable education and practical tips. Some of the areas they may discuss include: 

  • Ergonomic adjustments. Small changes to your wrist position when doing activities like typing or using a mouse can help ease pressure on the median nerve. “For instance, we might have you position your computer screen at eye level and your keyboard and mouse at a height where your elbows are bent 90 degrees so you don’t have to reach too far up or down,” Dr. Schaner explains.

  • Splinting. While not recommended for long-term use, wearing a wrist splint for a short time, especially at night, keeps your wrist in a neutral position and may help reduce discomfort. 

  • Ice and heat. Ice helps reduce inflammation and numb pain, while heat can relax tight muscles and improve blood flow to the area. 

  • Activity modifications. A physical therapist can show you how to modify daily activities like cooking or using hand tools to avoid excessive strain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Physical Therapy with Hinge Health

If hand or wrist pain is limiting your movement, Hinge Health can help. As a digital clinic for joint and muscle care, Hinge Health offers access to physical therapists, along with personalized  exercise therapy, health coaching, education, and more.

Staying consistent with exercise therapy can be challenging, but research shows that it’s the key to building habits and achieving results. Our physical therapists, health coaches, and care team work together to help you make exercise therapy a habit, so you can get back to doing what you love.

Hinge Health physical therapists can give you an assessment, rule out any serious causes of your pain, help you modify your activities, empower you with tools and tips to help you hurt less, and personalize your exercise program.

Meeting with a Hinge Health Physical Therapist

Unlike traditional physical therapy visits, Hinge Health provides access to physical therapists via video appointments. Your therapist can conduct a movement assessment, create a personalized exercise plan, and help you perform exercises with confidence — all from the comfort of your own home.

You can ask your physical therapist questions about your pain, function, and progress — during video visits or anytime via messaging in the Hinge Health app. Your physical therapist can adjust exercises as needed to keep you on track. In addition to a physical therapist, Hinge Health also provides every member with a dedicated health coach for motivation and accountability. Together, they ensure you’re fully supported throughout your treatment. 

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References 

1. Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Ortega-Santiago, R., Díaz, H. F.-S., Salom-Moreno, J., Cleland, J. A., Pareja, J. A., & Arias-Buría, J. L. (2019). Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Manual Physical Therapy Versus Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evidence From a Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 49(2), 55–63. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8483

2. Edith Cowan University. (2022, August 15). Exercise answer: Research shows it's how often you do it, not how much. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220815085707.htm

3. Kothari, M. J. (2024, February 1). Carpal tunnel syndrome: Treatment and prognosis. UpToDate. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-treatment-and-prognosis