Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Is a condition where numbness, pins & needles or severe pain can be felt in the Wrist.

Find support and solutions at your North London Health Clinic, Shine.

At this busy junction of muscles, bones, tendons and nerves, there can be restrictions of space made from tightness, overuse of the wrist, or a hereditary condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. The traffic jam of pathways can cause the pain and discomfort of the Median Nerve being trapped. The sensation would usually start quite gently and you would perhaps feel it more at nighttime.

50% of pregnant women experience CTS. 1 in 5 Men and 1 in 3 Women experience CTS but the majority of times it tends to fade by itself.

Depending on the cause, severity and longevity of your condition, you may be able to alleviate the symptoms by learning stretches for the short, tight muscles and strengthening exercises for the weakened muscles in order to rebalance the wrist to its full function. A good Doctor or Physiotherapist would be able to educate you with these mobilisation techniques.

A wrist splint may be the best solution as it can hold your wrist in a way that stops the flexion which triggers the nerve compression. Deep friction techniques in a Sports massage can be used as part of your preventative measures if your activities or sport put you at risk of developing this condition, however the progress can be slow and one must be careful not to have this treatment if the area is already inflamed as it may exacerbate the problem.

Acupuncture can be a fantastic aid in releasing tension in the area. Recent studies have shown how it can improve neuroplasticity and nerve conduction.

If you prefer to try another method, we would recommend Cranial Osteopathy as a gentle way to readjust the stressed area into a more balanced state of alignment.

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