“Is there anything that I can do at home for carpal tunnel?”
I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome recently, and I just wanted to know if there was anything I can do to treat this at home? Like resting my wrist in ice water, for example?
7 Answers
IMHO a resting wrist splint worn while sleeping to keep the wrist in a neutral position not tight is a great way to begin to treat CTS.
It depends on what stage of carpal tunnel you are at. If you’re mild, then you can do braces and home stretches and warm soaks.
Follow the link to see a program put out by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/recovery/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-therapeutic-exercise-program/
https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/recovery/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-therapeutic-exercise-program/
Nighttime bracing has proven very effective for many patients.
Avoid prolonged wrist flexion. Avoid prolonged computer use. Use a cock-up wrist splint (Futuro brand). Take anti-inflammatories - Advil or Aleve twice a day after a meal
Neil F. Jones MD, FRCS, FACS
Neil F. Jones MD, FRCS, FACS
Wearing a wrist brace at night is the only real home remedy that may help. Stretching or ice or heat or medications have not been shown to be helpful.
Good luck!
Harrison Solomon, M.D.
Good luck!
Harrison Solomon, M.D.
You should purchase a carpal tunnel splint which you can find at a local drugstore or online. Wear the splint at night and during the daytime when you are symptomatic. You can also try some gentle nerve glides - you can look this up online. If these do not help, then I would see a hand specialist to discuss other treatment options.
