Can physiotherapy help carpal tunnel during pregnancy

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. When the median nerve is compressed, the symptoms can include numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and arm. 

That sensation of numbness and tingling in the hand or arm caused by the pinched nerve in the wrist it is often referred to as carpel tunnel. Your wrist anatomy, underlying health conditions and patterns of hand usage can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome and normally you will feel pain in the hand and arm with numbness or tingling. Sometimes treatment may include rest, ice, wrist splints, cortisone injections or in extreme cases, corrective surgery.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome may lead to weakness, lack of coordination, and permanent nerve damage. When carpal tunnel syndrome begins to disrupt your daily routines you should seek professional assistance because not taking action can lead to nerve damage.

Does carpal tunnel occur during pregnancy

Pregnancy carpal tunnel is common, and it usually settles. The right support makes the wait easier.

What we see in some patients during pregnancy is that the person’s hormone levels can trigger fluid retention that can cause swelling. This swelling can, in turn, push against the median nerve in the carpal tunnel – increasing pressure in the carpal tunnel and sometimes causing pain in your wrist and hand during pregnancy.

Sleeping in a wrist flexion position is common during pregnancy and this can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome occurring.

How do our physio's assess if you have carpal tunnel syndrome?

– Where is the pain and how bad is the pain? 

– What brought on the pain?

– How long have you had it for?

– What makes it worse?

– What is this stopping you from doing?

What can cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

– Prolonged bad wrist and arm posture.

– Excessive wrist and finger flexion. E.g., typing on a computer.

– Sleeping with your wrist in a flexed position.

How can you avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome?

– Manual handling of muscles and tendons that are involved in the carpal tunnel to take the pressure off the wrist.

– Dry needling I have no muscles and tendons involved.

– Physiotherapy-specific exercises.

– Wrist brace if necessary.

How can Switch physio help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

The team at Switch physiotherapy in Sydney can help people with carpal tunnel syndrome treatment using our extensive experience. We can provide the appropriate manual handling and associated techniques to free up space in the carpal tunnel for the muscles and tendons to supply the wrist. 

We can also identify the true cause of the problem, and devise a plan to ease the symptoms, Improve the wrist and arm posture, and prevent a recurrence.

Common questions about carpal tunnel syndrome?

Frequently asked questions

Can physio help carpal tunnel in pregnancy?

Yes. A physiotherapist can ease symptoms safely with splinting, nerve-gliding exercises and advice.

Why do I get carpal tunnel when pregnant?

Fluid retention in pregnancy increases pressure on the nerve at the wrist, causing tingling and numbness.

Will pregnancy carpal tunnel go away?

For most people it settles after birth as fluid levels return to normal.

Is carpal tunnel treatment safe in pregnancy?

Yes. Physiotherapy uses safe, non-medication approaches like splinting and gentle exercises.