Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Basic Pain Management

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on a nerve at the wrist, causing tingling and numbness in the hand. Caught early, it often responds well to physiotherapy without surgery.

Talk to me about wrist and hand symptoms

The basics

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The median nerve passes through a narrow tunnel at your wrist. When that space is crowded or the nerve is irritated, you get tingling, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the hand, classically in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

It is common with repetitive wrist use, during pregnancy, and after birth. Mild to moderate cases often improve with activity changes, nerve care, and night splinting, and I will guide you on when a medical opinion is worth seeking.

What to notice

Common symptoms

  • Tingling or numbness in the thumb and first fingers
  • Symptoms worse at night or on waking
  • Ache that can travel up the forearm
  • A weaker grip or dropping things
  • Relief when shaking the hand out
Why it happens

Common causes

  • Repetitive or sustained wrist positions
  • Fluid changes in pregnancy or after birth
  • Prolonged typing, phone, or tool use
  • Wrist positions held while sleeping
  • Sometimes linked with other health conditions
The treatment

How physiotherapy helps

I focus on easing pressure on the nerve, calming the symptoms, and changing the habits and positions that keep it irritated.

Nerve care

Gentle techniques and positions that reduce irritation of the nerve.

Splinting advice

Guidance on night splints that keep the wrist in a settled position.

Activity changes

Adjusting typing, phone, and wrist habits that crowd the tunnel.

Strength and mobility

Wrist and hand work to support recovery and function.

What to expect

Your recovery journey

Treatment moves through clear stages. I set the pace to suit you, but the path usually looks like this.

01

Assessment

I check your sensation, strength, and what triggers symptoms.

02

Settle symptoms

Nerve care, positioning, and splinting advice.

03

Change habits

Adjust the daily patterns that keep it flared.

04

Rebuild

Wrist and hand strengthening as symptoms ease.

In your sessions

Exercises I may use

  • Median nerve gliding within comfort
  • Gentle wrist mobility work
  • Tendon-gliding hand exercises
  • Grip and pinch strengthening as able

When to seek urgent care

See a doctor promptly if you have constant numbness that does not come and go, wasting or obvious weakness of the muscles at the base of the thumb, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening, as these may need further treatment.

Good to know

Questions I hear a lot

Do I need surgery?
Not always. Mild to moderate cases often improve with conservative care. Surgery is considered when symptoms are severe or persistent, and that is a discussion with your doctor.
Why is it worse at night?
Many people sleep with the wrist bent, which crowds the nerve. A night splint keeping the wrist neutral often makes a real difference.
Will it go away after pregnancy?
Pregnancy-related carpal tunnel often eases after birth as fluid levels settle, and physiotherapy can help you manage it in the meantime.

Let's get you moving again

Book an assessment with me and I'll build a plan around your body, your goals, and your day-to-day life.

Call +91 87997 18841
This article is general information and is not a substitute for a personal assessment. Everyone is different, so please speak to a qualified physiotherapist or doctor for advice on your own situation.