Carpal Tunnel Rehabilitation Exercises

Rehabilitating your wrists from carpal tunnel syndrome is required whether you have had surgery for the condition or are first working on a strict physical therapy regimen. It doesn't matter how extensive the problem is, you will need to improve overall hand and wrist flexibility and strength and make lifestyle changes to mitigate the recurrence of the problem.

Surgical Rehabilitation

• Most sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome don't need surgery. People who have surgery in which ligaments pressing on the nerve are cut and released, first need to immobilize the wrist and hand for several weeks. Physical therapy starts with passive mobilization exercises to help the wrist, fingers and hand regain full range of motion. When your doctor permits increased activity, you will start doing active stretching exercises and progressively move into light weight training. After four to six weeks, you will move into a physical therapy progression similar to people who their carpal tunnel with surgery.

Non-Surgical Rehabilitation

• There are nine major muscles in the hand and wrist that must be equally strong and flexible to cure carpal tunnel syndrome. Lifting your fingers against resistance or opening a rubber band wrapped around them will engage muscles that are often neglected. Wrist rotations release tension around the medial nerve, which is pressured in carpal tunnel syndrome causing the pain. Part of rehabilitation also includes pulling the fingers back toward the body and down to the ground. Using light weights to roll along the fingers will increase their strength. When undergoing rehabilitation for carpal tunnel syndrome, let your physical therapist or doctor know if any exercises cause more pain as these should be stopped.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Most carpal tunnel syndrome can be attributed to repeated activities in a person's life. It is the common computer jock's injury with mouse clicks and tick ticks on the keyboard. People required to grip things frequently experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Whatever the cause, discuss your daily activity history with your doctor and physical therapist. Since carpal tunnel syndrome is a chronic condition, working with weights that mimic an activity that has led to the problem may only worsen it. Reducing these activities or using a brace when working may be a solution while improving the strength and mobility of the wrist and hand.