Find Out More About Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel is a condition that affects the hand.   It occurs as a result of compression on the medial nerve and typical signs and symptoms include:

  • Numbness
  • Pins and needles
  • Pain (particularly at night)
  • Weakness in the hand with gripping activities

Carpal tunnel can be caused by anything that causes swelling in the hand and it is more commonly seen in clients who perform repetitive movements as a result of their occupation or hobbies and during pregnancy.

Carpal tunnel is typically diagnosed by your allied health practitioner (osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor) and general practitioner.  Typically your case history presentation and results from the physical examination will give the practitioner a good idea as to whether it is carpal tunnel syndrome.  In some cases you might also be sent for nerve conduction tests to further clarify whether it is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment and management typically involves:

  • Rest and education regarding potential aggravating or maintaining activities i.e. work activities, workplace ergonomics
  • Splinting the wrist at night
  • Hands on manual therapy such as osteopathy or physio on mild to moderate cases.
  • Prescription of exercises, stretching and mobilisers
  • In some cases individuals may require surgery for more severe cases

How Can An Osteopath At Principle Four Osteopathy Help You?

  • Your Osteopath will take a thorough case history and perform a detailed assessment to diagnose your injury and complaint.
  • Your Osteopath will provide you with a treatment and management plan that is appropriate for your injury and in line with the latest research and evidence for your injury.
  • Your Osteopath will provide you with a treatment and management plan that is line with your specific goals, whether this be to eliminate pain, work without pain or return to sport or activity.
    Your Osteopath will help identify any potential maintaining and aggravating factors for your injury and provide you with solutions to reduce this. This may include an assessment of how you perform specific tasks and an ergonomic risk assessment of your workstation and suggest equipment or changes to improve your ergonomics.
  • Your Osteopath will provide hands on osteopathic manual therapy that may include soft tissue massage, stretching, dry needling, taping and mobilisation. Find out more about our Osteopathy consultation.
  • Your Osteopath will provide you with self management strategies regarding your injury management and prevention strategy. This may include referral to one of our Trusted Professional Network, advice on pain management with ice and rest, assessment and prescription of a stretching, mobility and strengthening program. Find out more about our Functional Movement Screen or Exercise Prescription/Rehabilitation Consultation.

To find out more about these conditions and how you can better treat and manage these conditions, please call 03 9670 9290 or book an appointment online to see one of our osteopathy practitioners at Principle Four Osteopathy.

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