Numbness, tingling, and pain in your hands and fingers are common signs of carpal tunnel. Another common sign is weakness in your fingers and grip. If you feel these things, it's likely you may have carpal tunnel. There are surgical procedures that can be used to treat the problem; however, it is always better to try to relieve the pain and symptoms with other options first. Here are some of the best methods to consider using if you have carpal tunnel syndrome in one or both hands.

Understand the Cause

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in your hand and arm is overused. Constant pressure on this nerve can occur from using your hands to perform regular daily activities, and it is most likely to occur when you perform repetitious movements with your hands day after day. The median nerve is found in your hand and up through your forearm.

If you can catch carpal tunnel at any early stage, you might be able to prevent it from worsening, and you might even be able to relieve all the pain and symptoms from it. The goal is to allow this nerve to rest. If you can stop using it completely, the inflammation may go down on its own, and the nerve may return to its normal state.

Take Medication

One common way to treat the pain and symptoms of carpal tunnel is by taking medication. If the pain is not severe, you could try taking ibuprofen, which is a pain medication that helps eliminate inflammation in the body. As the pain increases with carpal tunnel, this may not be enough though.

A lot of doctors like to offer corticosteroid shots to treat this problem. These shots target the exact area of the median nerve, and they are able to quickly reduce inflammation. The other benefit of corticosteroid shots is that they are long-lasting. Many doctors recommend getting these shots every three to four months. The relief from the shots may not last this long, but the relief will usually last for a couple of months.

Wear a Splint

A splint is something you can purchase as most pharmacies, and the goal of a splint is to keep your wrist and hand straight. By wearing a splint, you will not be bending your hand or wrist, and this will give your hand some rest. If possible, find a splint that is snug and that feels comfortable and wear it as often as possible. Some people only wear theirs at night while they sleep, but you may want to try wearing it all the time. If it interferes with something you are trying to do, you could simply remove it and replace it when you are finished with that particular activity.

Get Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is something that is primarily designed to help people regain mobility and full usage of an injured body part. One significant part of this form of therapy is that it can help you rebuild the muscles in your hand and wrist. With stronger hand and wrist muscles, you may be able to place less tension and pressure on the median nerve. This could result in less pain and fewer problems from your carpal tunnel syndrome.

A physical therapist will teach you exercises to perform with your hands and wrist, and you may have to do these multiple times each day.

If these treatment options do not solve your problem, it may be because your carpal tunnel syndrome is very severe. If this is the case, you should visit a hand surgery specialist to find out what types of surgical operations are available to treat your hands. To learn more, contact services like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.