Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Have you ever woken up with numb or tingling hands and felt like you needed to “shake them awake”?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist.

Symptoms can include:
• Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Hand weakness or dropping things
• Aching or burning in the hand, wrist, or forearm
• Symptoms often worse at night

It can develop for a number of reasons, and was once thought to be repetitive hand use, certain work demands (like vibratory tools or keyboard use), sustained wrist positions during sleep, or factors like pregnancy, diabetes, perimenopause/menopause, or arthritis. CTS predominantly affects women age 40-60.

What helps?
Treatment depends on the individual, but may include:
• Night splinting to support the wrist in a neutral position
• Activity modification to reduce irritation
• Targeted exercises (like nerve gliding)
• Manual therapy, including massage, to help manage pain and muscle tension

• In some cases, a minor surgical procedure may be recommended to relieve pressure on the nerve

In practice, massage therapy treatment typically includes a combination of these elements, blending hands-on care with movement-based strategies and practical guidance (including things like splinting options and sleep positioning) to reduce irritation of the nerve and improve tolerance to daily activities. This approach can be helpful whether you’re managing symptoms conservatively or recovering after surgery.

Many people do well with this kind of conservative approach, especially when symptoms are addressed early.

When To Seek Care

If symptoms are affecting your sleep, daily activities, or you’re noticing weakness or loss of sensation, it’s worth having it assessed.

This is something I see fairly often in practice, and many people are able to make meaningful improvements with conservative care.

If this sounds familiar, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to help.