Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve where it passes through the wrist. It causes numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often worse at night, with a weak grip and dropped objects. Physical therapy can help mild to moderate cases, and PAR Physical Therapy treats it in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
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Which fingers, and why it is worse at night
The median nerve serves the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger. It does not serve the little finger.
Numb fingers and tingling hands
You may feel numb fingers, tingling hands or burning. Many people shake their hands out to relieve it.
Hand numbness at night
Most people curl their wrists in sleep, which squeezes the tunnel. That is why hand numbness at night can wake you.
Dropping things
A weaker pinch and grip make dropping things more likely, and the symptom is a reason to be examined soon.
What causes carpal tunnel
Repetitive hand work, wrist pain from typing, and long time in bent wrist positions are common. Pregnancy fluid, diabetes and arthritis also raise the odds. Pregnancy and new babies can set it off, which you can read about on prenatal and postpartum care. If your job is the main cause, see Work Injuries & Workers' Comp. Diabetes-related numbness in both hands and feet is covered on Peripheral Neuropathy.
Carpal tunnel without surgery: what we try first
Nerve and tendon gliding
Gentle exercises help the nerve and tendons slide through the tunnel.
Night splinting
A neutral-wrist night splint stops you curling the wrist while asleep.
Workstation changes
Keyboard, mouse and tool setup, and breaks, reduce wrist load.
Hands-on care
Manual therapy for the forearm, wrist and neck eases tight tissue.
Grip strengthening
Once symptoms settle, we build grip and forearm strength back.
More options
Many mild cases improve with these steps. If not, we tell you when to see a hand surgeon.
Carpal tunnel release recovery after surgery
After a carpal tunnel release, therapy follows your surgeon's plan: scar care, swelling control, then motion, grip and return to work tasks. See post-surgical rehab for how we work with surgeons.
Tingling that comes from the neck
A pinched nerve in the neck can cause hand symptoms that look like carpal tunnel.
- Tingling that also shows up with neck movement, or in the whole arm, may start in the neck
- We check the neck, shoulder and wrist so we treat the right place. Read Neck Pain
- For other wrist and thumb problems, see hand and wrist pain
Carpal tunnel care in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet
Call either clinic or request an appointment. Same-day appointments are possible, and we accept most insurance plans.
We see patients in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Request an Appointment Call Myrtle Beach Call Murrells Inlet