Exploring Health Care Needs of Children

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects people who move their hands and wrists in a repetitive motion for very long periods of time. The condition can be painful and often, the only solution is to undergo surgery. New developments in physical therapy have helped patients dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome cope with the pain and in some cases, it can relive it completely without having to go under the knife.

Here are some examples of a popular therapy option as well as some exercises that have been shown to help with carpel tunnel:

Short Wave Therapy

Also known as ultrasound therapy, short-wave therapy sends pulses directly into the muscles of the hands, wrist, and fingers. Using a special device, patients allow the pulses to penetrate the tendons and muscles. This specialized therapy is typically performed several times a week over the course of about five weeks or more. Many patients have shown marked relief when using short wave therapy.

Simple, Patterned Exercises

Some movements of the hand and wrist can actually alleviate the pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Movements known as "gliding" encourage the fingers to help stretch the tendons of the wrist, providing much needed relief.

Before you do any kind of new exercise of the hands, you should consult with your doctor who can provide you with the right methods or refer you to an experienced physical therapist. You may also be recommended to wear splints for a time to help "retrain" your fingers and wrist.

There are some motions you can perform on your own that may not completely heal your carpal tunnel syndrome, but they may help keep the pain at bay. Here are some examples of things you can try while at home or even at the office to help you:

• Keep your hands together in a praying position. Then, slowly spread your fingers as far apart as you can, still keeping both hands together. This motion can help relieve pressure from the main nerve that is most affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.
• While this exercise seems simple, it can really help keep the muscles in your hands loose and limber. Simply shake your hands rapidly as if you've just washed them and are now airing them dry. Repeat this motion every hour if possible for about one to two minutes.
• For a deeper stretch, place your arm in front of you and point your wrist toward the floor. Using your other hand, push down on your wrist and try to stretch it as far as you can. Repeat with the other hand and wrist. This should also be done every few hours if possible, and will help train and strengthen the muscles and nerves in the wrist.

To learn more about these techniques and for more help, contact a company like St. Luke's Rehabilitation.