Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This page is dedicated to supporting patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by providing practical tools and strategies to help manage and, in many cases, resolve the condition.
If your symptoms do not improve within 4–6 weeks, or if they are particularly severe, it may be appropriate to consider a steroid injection sooner.
Carpal Tunnel Exercises
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when a build-up of inflammation within the carpal tunnel causes compression of the nerve, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness.
Simple nerve and tendon exercises can help relieve pressure and improve mobility. We recommend performing these exercises daily, spending around 10–15 minutes on them.
It is common for the exercises to temporarily worsen your symptoms due to the stretching effect on the nerve. However, this should not cause alarm — with consistency, the exercises often help to settle symptoms over the longer term.
Carpal Tunnel Splint
Research and clinical guidance recommend the use of a wrist splint for around 6 weeks as part of carpal tunnel treatment. We advise wearing the splint consistently at night during this period, as evidence suggests this approach can help reduce pressure on the nerve and allow symptoms to settle.
Over the Counter Gels
We recommend daily self-massage around the wrist crease using a mixture of gels such as Voltarol (anti-inflammatory gel), Deep Heat, or cooling/ice gels. Spend around 5–10 minutes each day massaging the area.
This can help to reduce inflammation, relieve tension, and over time may contribute to an overall improvement in your symptoms.