Skip to main content
Olympus Lifestyle Co

Condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Numbness, tingling or pain in your thumb, index and middle fingers, especially at night? Assessment, splinting advice, nerve and strength exercises, and guidance on when to see a specialist.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression problem in the hand. It causes pins and needles, numbness or pain in the fingers, often worse at night, and can make it hard to grip, type, use a phone or hold a coffee cup. It’s frequently misunderstood, and it responds best when it’s caught early.

Understanding carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage at the wrist, made up of bones and a tough ligament, through which the median nerve and tendons travel to the hand. When pressure builds up in the tunnel, the nerve becomes irritated and its signals are disrupted, producing the typical symptoms in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger.

Factors linked to carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Repetitive or forceful hand and wrist activity, awkward wrist positions or vibration
  • Pregnancy and hormonal changes
  • Diabetes, thyroid conditions and inflammatory arthritis
  • Previous wrist injury or fracture
  • Genetic and anatomical factors, so it often runs in families

Symptoms we commonly see

  • Numbness, tingling or burning in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger
  • Symptoms that wake you at night and ease when you shake your hand
  • Symptoms with driving, typing, holding a phone, or sustained gripping
  • Weak grip and dropping things
  • In more advanced cases, wasting of the muscle at the base of the thumb

Our evidence-based approach

Clinical practice guidelines for carpal tunnel syndrome emphasise careful examination to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes, followed by non-surgical management for most mild to moderate cases and timely referral when symptoms are severe or persistent. Our approach includes:

  1. Assessment of the hand, wrist, elbow, neck and shoulder, to confirm carpal tunnel syndrome and rule out other causes of similar symptoms, such as a pinched nerve in the neck
  2. Splinting advice, including a night splint that holds the wrist in a neutral position
  3. Activity and ergonomic changes, to reduce the wrist positions and tasks that provoke symptoms
  4. Exercises for the hand, wrist and forearm, and for the neck and shoulder where relevant, to improve movement and strength
  5. Hands-on treatment where it helps ease symptoms alongside the rest of your plan
  6. Clear guidance on referral, for nerve conduction studies, injection or a surgical opinion when conservative care isn’t enough

What to expect: recovery timeline

  • Mild symptoms: often improve over several weeks with splinting, activity changes and exercises
  • Moderate symptoms: may take a few months of consistent management, with monitoring to make sure nerve function is improving
  • Persistent or severe symptoms: need medical review and may need injection or surgery, which we arrange promptly

When to seek help urgently

See a doctor promptly if you have constant numbness, weakness or wasting of the thumb muscle, you’re dropping things, symptoms follow an injury, or your hand is hot, red and swollen. Pain and numbness that travels from your neck down the arm should also be assessed.

References

How We Treat This

PhysiotherapyDry NeedlingMassageTaping

Q & A

Questions about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

How do I know if it's carpal tunnel syndrome?

Typical signs are numbness, tingling or burning in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger, often waking you at night or building with activities like driving, typing or holding a phone. Similar symptoms can come from the neck or other nerves, so an examination is how we confirm what's going on.

Does a night splint help?

Wearing a wrist splint at night, which keeps the wrist in a neutral position, is commonly recommended for mild to moderate symptoms and is a simple first step. We advise on the right type and how to use it.

Do I need nerve tests or surgery?

Many people improve with conservative care. Nerve conduction studies and a surgical opinion are considered if symptoms are severe, persistent despite treatment, or you have constant numbness or weakness. We refer on promptly when that's the case.

Can work or hobbies cause carpal tunnel?

Repetitive or forceful hand and wrist activity, awkward wrist positions, and some vibration tools are associated with it, but it's also linked to factors like pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid conditions and arthritis. For many people it's a mix, which is why we look at the whole picture.

Can physiotherapy help carpal tunnel syndrome?

Yes, particularly in mild to moderate cases. We assess whether it's carpal tunnel or something else, advise on splinting and activity changes, and prescribe exercises for the hand, wrist, neck and shoulder. We also tell you when it's time to see a doctor or specialist.

Let's get this sorted

Book an appointment to have your carpal tunnel syndrome properly assessed.

Book an AppointmentContact the Clinic
Book an Appointment