Exercises and other home remedies are not likely to cure carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition, which usually worsens over time, only rarely disappears entirely after the use of conservative home remedies. However, nerve gliding exercises, which aim to stretch and loosen the nerves in the hands and wrist, may help alleviate some carpal tunnel symptoms or prevent the condition from significantly worsening. Consult your health care provider for other treatment guidelines.
Effectiveness
Nerve gliding exercises appear to be a safe and effective treatment for managing carpal tunnel syndrome. A 2005 study published in "Advances in Therapy" found that when combined with wrist splinting and lifestyle changes, nerve gliding exercises alleviated carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms more effectively than splinting and lifestyle changes alone. Because of the very low risk associated with these exercises, they are frequently recommended as a complementary therapy alongside other treatment options.
Benefits
The 2005 study found several benefits associated with the use of nerve gliding exercises. The patients who used nerve gliding exercises had a more rapid reduction in pain than the control group. They also reported better overall function of the hands and wrists. Nerve gliding exercises were particularly beneficial for improving the grip strength of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome; they were able to maintain a stronger, tighter grip than their counterparts who had not used these exercises.
Instructions
A report by Stacey Soda of Middle Tennessee State University provides specific instructions for a form of nerve gliding exercise that is considered beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. The exercise involves holding your hand directly out so that it forms a straight line into the wrist, and all the fingers are together while the thumb is at a roughly 30-degree angle. Your fingers should then be bent inward to touch the top of the palm, then curved into a standard fist. Next, angle your fingers forward to be perpendicular to your hand. Fold your fingertips to touch the base of your palm while tilting your hand slightly backward. Helpful illustrations are available on the MTSU report.
Other Techniques
Several other home remedies may also reduce your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. You should take breaks from any repetitive action that strains your wrists, such as writing, typing, driving or hammering. Wrists splints, available at a pharmacy, are also very beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome patients, and they are particularly necessary at night time. Consider using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to temporarily relieve pain and numbness.
