1. Four Nonsurgical Treatment Methods for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome If diagnosed early, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be improved with nonsurgical methods such as wrist splinting, medications, pain injections, etc. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common musculoskeletal injury. It occurs when the median nerve gets compressed as it travels through the wrist. Risk factors for CTS include repetitive work involving the wrists, obesity, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, arthritis, and tendon inflammation. Multispecialty healthcare centers offering pain management services in Brooklyn treat CTS using nonsurgical methods. Symptoms of CTS include pain in the wrist, palm, and fingers, numbness or a tingling sensation in the palm and reduced ability to grip objects. The pain may even spread to the forearm and shoulder. Left untreated, CTS can cause permanent damage to the hand or thumb. Treatment would depend on the severity of the symptoms and presence of weakness in the wrist. Nonsurgical methods can prove effective if CTS is diagnosed early. Recovery time can also be shorter with early treatment. Professional multispecialty healthcare and rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn, NYC treat CTS symptoms using a variety of nonsurgical modalities: Wrist splints –As you tend to bend your wrist while sleeping, CTS symptoms usually get worse at night. Wearing a splint at for a few weeks can relieve symptoms. Wrist splints or braces will help keep

2. the joint in a neutral position and keep your hand properly. People who do work that can trigger a flare- up, such as working on a computer, may be advised to wear a brace during the day. Medications – Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid shots work to reduce pain. Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen help relieve short-term pain. These may only help if your CTS is due to an underlying inflammatory condition, rather than repetitive use. Pain injections –Carpal tunnel steroid injections can improve tendon swelling and ease pressure on the nerve which will improve painful symptoms. Physical therapy (PT)– PT exercises can improve strength of the muscles in your hand, fingers, and forearm as well as the back muscles. Stretching exercises can wrist, hand, and finger flexibility. Other therapies for CTS include TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and heat and ice application. These nonsurgical modalities can improve for mild to moderate CTS. If these nonsurgical therapies fail to work, pain management doctors will recommend carpal tunnel release surgery.