Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Signs, Causes and Treatment

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Do your fingers sometimes feel numb or tingly when you're using your phone, typing, driving, or holding something for a long time?

Maybe you wake up at night with a "pins and needles" feeling in your hand, or you've noticed that your grip isn't as strong as it used to be.

These symptoms can sometimes be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.

The median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger. It also supplies some of the muscles involved in thumb movement.

Common symptoms can include:

• Tingling or pins and needles

• Numbness in the hand or fingers

• Aching or discomfort around the wrist

• Symptoms that are worse at night

• Weakness or reduced grip

• Difficulty holding small objects

• A feeling of clumsiness in the hand

• Symptoms that can sometimes travel into the forearm

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and numbness or tingling in the hand can have other causes. This is why proper assessment is important.

What Can Contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

There isn't always one single cause of CTS.

Activities that involve repeated wrist and hand movements can increase irritation around the wrist, particularly when combined with sustained or awkward wrist positions.

Examples include:

• Repetitive keyboard and mouse use

• Frequent smartphone or tablet use

• Playing instruments

• Repetitive gripping

• Manual work involving tools

• Racquet sports

• Weight training

• Rock climbing

• Repeated wrist bending during work or exercise

Previous wrist injuries, swelling around the wrist and certain health conditions can also increase the likelihood of developing carpal tunnel symptoms.

Some people are also more susceptible because of the anatomy of their wrist.

Is It Just From Using a Computer?

Not necessarily.

Long periods of computer or smartphone use can contribute to hand and wrist discomfort, particularly when the wrist is held in an awkward position for extended periods.

However, it is too simplistic to say that technology use alone causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

The amount of repetitive activity, wrist position, individual anatomy, workload, recovery and other health factors can all play a role.

If you spend many hours at a desk, small changes can still make a difference:

Change positions regularly
Avoid keeping your wrist and hand in exactly the same position for hours.

Take short movement breaks
Give your hands, wrists, shoulders and neck a chance to move throughout the day.

Check your workstation
Your keyboard, mouse and chair setup should allow you to work without excessive wrist bending.

Avoid unnecessary gripping
If you're holding your phone, tools or other objects tightly for long periods, relax your grip when possible.

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms at Night

One of the more noticeable signs of CTS is symptoms that become worse during the night.

Some people wake up with numbness, tingling or discomfort in their hand and may need to shake or move their hand to make it feel better.

A wrist splint may be recommended in some cases to help keep the wrist in a more neutral position while sleeping.

If night-time symptoms are occurring regularly, it's worth getting them assessed rather than simply ignoring them.

How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and what is causing the nerve compression.

For mild cases, management may include:

• Modifying activities that aggravate symptoms

• Improving wrist and workstation positioning

• Night-time wrist splinting

• Appropriate exercises

• Managing contributing factors

• Physiotherapy or other conservative treatment

• Medical treatment when required

More persistent or severe cases may require further investigation. A doctor may recommend nerve testing, imaging or other treatment options depending on the presentation.

If there is significant or progressive weakness, persistent numbness, or loss of muscle around the thumb, medical assessment is particularly important.

Can Massage and Myotherapy Help?

Massage and myotherapy may be useful for managing muscular tension and contributing movement restrictions around the wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder and neck.

For example, repetitive hand and wrist activity can leave the forearm muscles feeling tight and overloaded. Addressing these areas may help improve comfort and movement.

At YOHOME, treatment may include assessment and hands-on work around the:

• Forearm

• Wrist and hand

• Elbow

• Shoulder

• Upper back

• Neck

However, it's important to understand that massage does not directly remove compression of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel.

Instead, it can be used as one component of a broader management plan, particularly when surrounding muscular tension and movement habits are contributing to your symptoms.

Exercises and Movement

Depending on your symptoms and assessment, your therapist or healthcare professional may recommend gentle exercises to improve wrist and hand movement and gradually build strength.

Simple movements might include controlled wrist movements, finger movements, grip exercises and appropriate nerve-mobility exercises.

The key is not to force through numbness, tingling or increasing pain.

If an exercise makes your neurological symptoms significantly worse, stop and seek professional advice.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Not every case of hand tingling is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms can sometimes originate from other areas, including the neck or other parts of the nervous system. Persistent numbness, increasing weakness, loss of grip strength or symptoms that are getting worse should be medically assessed.

Early assessment can help identify the likely cause and determine the most appropriate treatment.

Looking After Your Hands and Wrists

Your hands perform thousands of small movements every day. Whether you're working at a computer, using your phone, playing sport or working with your hands, giving your body enough movement and recovery time is important.

If you're experiencing ongoing forearm, wrist or hand tightness, massage and myotherapy may be useful as part of your overall management plan.

At YOHOME Massage & Myotherapy, we can assess the surrounding muscles and help address muscular tension and movement restrictions that may be contributing to your discomfort.

If your symptoms include persistent numbness, tingling or weakness, we recommend getting the condition properly assessed as well.