Update date: 3 August 2026
Publish date: 5 March 2026
Read in: 12 min
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy, which should not be underestimated, as if left untreated, it can lead to irreversible changes and permanent weakness in the hand. Do you feel tingling, numbness, or pain in your wrist? Find out how to recognize the symptoms of the disease and learn about treatment methods that restore function.
Contents
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy. It is diagnosed three times more often in women than in men. It is estimated that up to 6 out of 1,000 people are affected by this condition each year, and the risk of developing it increases with age.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow space through which the median nerve runs. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when something causes prolonged and unnatural pressure on the median nerve. The culprit may be, for example, swelling that occurs when we overload the wrist.
As a result of continuous compression, blood flow to the intraneural capillary system is impeded, causing changes in the blood-nerve barrier and the development of intraneural edema. After surgical decompression, rapid resolution of symptoms is often observed, confirming the theory that mechanical compression causes reversible, localized ischemia. Usually, sensory fibers are affected first, followed by motor fibers.
It is believed that the most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is prolonged repetitive hand movements that overload the wrist. These include gripping, bending, or straightening the wrist and exposing it to frequent vibrations. This is why the condition is associated with office workers who use a mouse and keyboard, certain musicians, and manual laborers who perform repetitive manual tasks.
Other factors contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome include:
Pregnancy, menopause, obesity, renal failure, hypothyroidism, oral contraceptive use, and congestive heart failure can also contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome by increasing the volume of the synovial sheath in the carpal tunnel.
Pregnant women may be more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome due to hormonal changes in their bodies. Changes in progesterone and estrogen levels affect the nervous system and tissue structures. Pregnancy is also often associated with water retention in the body, which in turn causes swelling, including in the wrist area. Swelling caused by water retention can put pressure on the median nerve and cause symptoms of the condition.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include various unpleasant sensations in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and sometimes also in part of the ring finger. Patients complain of tingling, numbness, burning, stinging, pain, an “electric shock” sensation in the hand, or a feeling of pressure.
Initially, symptoms occur irregularly and mainly at night – they intensify when the patient is awake and when performing repetitive movements with the hand, especially those requiring prolonged flexion of the wrist.
As untreated carpal tunnel syndrome progresses, symptoms persist during the day and may develop into permanent loss of sensation and permanent weakness of the hand. In advanced stages, extensive damage to the axons can lead to atrophy of the muscles of the thumb ball – the muscles will become weaker and their mass will decrease, resulting in them no longer functioning properly. At this stage of the disease, there is a risk of irreversible changes. That is why the symptoms of the disease should not be underestimated. As soon as they appear, you should see a specialist and start treatment.
Effective physiotherapy at NAMI Medical Resort.
If left untreated, the condition progresses. There are three stages of carpal tunnel syndrome, which determine the severity of the disease:
A doctor who diagnoses carpal tunnel syndrome is an orthopedist or neurologist. The specialist diagnoses the condition primarily on the basis of an interview with the patient, who reports the characteristic symptoms described above. The doctor asks, among other things, about the type and characteristics of the symptoms, their location in the hand, and the presence or absence of other coexisting symptoms in the arm.
A specialist can also perform simple tests for carpal tunnel syndrome, which do not require any equipment and are based on eliciting typical symptoms of the disease by performing a specific movement or applying pressure. The most common tests are Tinel’s and Phalen’s tests, during which the doctor gently taps the median nerve with a finger or hammer or asks the patient to bend their wrists for about a minute so that the upper parts of the hands are directed towards the body.
Imaging tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (USG), as well as electrodiagnostic tests (EDX), such as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG), also help to make the correct diagnosis.
The form of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends, among other things, on the severity of the disease and the intensity of the symptoms.
The condition in its initial or moderate stage is most often treated with various conservative methods, of which physiotherapy and the use of a special wrist brace are very important.
In grade 3 carpal tunnel syndrome, i.e., in the advanced stage, surgery may be necessary.
Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to irreversible changes. Permanent damage to the median nerve weakens the hand and causes problems with performing everyday activities, such as holding objects or writing. In the early stages of the disease, the changes can be reversed. That is why you should not delay in seeing a doctor.
Physical therapy produces results similar to those of surgery or steroid injections and should be the first recommended form of treatment. The exception is when the patient presents with a very advanced stage of the disease. In such cases, surgery may be necessary as soon as possible. Each case requires individual assessment.
Conservative treatment should be supervised by an experienced physical therapist and involves, among other things, relieving the affected hand and changing habits that contribute to the development of the disease. The patient should, as far as possible, limit harmful activities. This may mean, for example, taking a break from work, and certainly learning how to use the hand in certain situations to reduce the risk of symptoms. The physical therapist helps to identify bad habits and develop good ones.
Wearing a special wrist brace for carpal tunnel syndrome is also a very important part of treatment. Which one to choose? An experienced specialist will also help with this and explain how to sleep with carpal tunnel syndrome so as not to unknowingly increase pressure on the nerve. The brace is usually worn at night – it positions the wrist in a neutral, comfortable position.
Physiotherapy for carpal tunnel syndrome may also include:
Sometimes, patients treating carpal tunnel syndrome at home also use oral anti-inflammatory and painkilling medications, which provide short-term pain relief. Conservative treatment may also include local injections of corticosteroids, which are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that help reduce tissue swelling.
Surgery is an effective form of treatment, most often recommended for people with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients who have undergone conservative treatment but have not experienced improvement or whose condition has worsened are also referred for surgery.
Surgical treatment involves making a longitudinal incision in the transverse carpal ligament. This decompresses the median nerve. The procedure can be performed using an open or endoscopic technique. Rehabilitation is necessary after the operation.
At NAMI Medical Resort, we help patients regain their fitness after orthopedic surgery. We also offer prehabilitation – we prepare the patient’s entire body for surgery and support its natural ability to regenerate. Thanks to working with a physiotherapist before the operation and acting in the spirit of holistic medicine, the body tolerates the procedure better and returns to full fitness faster afterwards.
At NAMI, we understand how difficult everyday life can be with carpal tunnel syndrome. Our physiotherapists focus on accurately diagnosing the cause of the condition and develop a plan of action tailored to the patient’s needs, capabilities, and goals. We want to relieve you of the troublesome symptoms, but also prevent recurrence.
We believe in the power of a holistic approach that focuses on the health of the whole body. Together with the patient, we develop new habits and shape their path to a more satisfying, healthier life without persistent ailments. We will help you if you need conservative treatment, prepare your body for surgery, and carry out rehabilitation.
Physical therapy at NAMI Medical Resort.
The best way to prevent the disease is to take care of your overall health on a daily basis. It is worth preventing systemic diseases and following the principles of workplace ergonomics. At NAMI Medical Resort, we help you take care of your own longevity. We teach you how to holistically care for your body and mind so that you can enjoy a long and healthy life.
NAMI Medical Resort exclusively offers medical programs.
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