Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed upon your ulnar nerve, one of the main nerves in your hand. The nerve connects the muscles of your forearm to your spinal cord and runs along your elbow's backside. This area is termed the "funny bone" since pressing your elbow at this point results in a quick tickling or tingling feeling. Physical therapy for cubital tunnel syndrome can reduce symptoms and prevent further injury. Check with your doctor first.
Protection
Properly protecting your elbow area plays an important role during physical therapy for cubital tunnel syndrome. Keeping your elbow as straight as possible will decrease nerve pressure, pain, stiffness, tingling and numbness. This can provide the most effective treatment. Use any number of home remedies to protect your elbow. Wrapping a towel around your elbow area and securing it with heavy tape or safety pins is one option, according to Dr. Eaton at E-hand.com. If a towel is not available, use foam padding. Purchasing and using a knee splint offers another option. Instead of placing the splint around your knee, protect your elbow with it. Protect your elbow and decrease cubital tunnel syndrome symptoms by applying these protective devices before going to bed in order to keep your elbow from bending while sleeping.
Massage Breaks
While working at your desk, take frequent breaks and let your harms hang freely. Take your right hand and use your fingers to gently massage the outside of your left elbow for 20 seconds and the inside of your elbow for 20 seconds. Massage the area between the bony part of your elbow for 20 seconds. Return your hand and arm to the original position. Repeat the massage using your left hand on your right elbow.
Wrist Stretches
Physical therapy for cubital tunnel syndrome can include exercises that keep your arm limber, as in wrist stretches. Stretch out your wrists by either standing or sitting upright in a firm chair. Lift your left arm in front of your body, and keep your elbow straight and palm facing downward. Take your right hand and place it over your left hand. Slowly and gently pull down on your left wrist. Hold this position for eight seconds. Slowly return your wrist to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times. Do the exercise again using your left hand to stretch your right wrist.
Band Stretching
Hand therapy can be a natural prescription for cubital tunnel syndrome. Including finger stretches in your physical therapy will help. Place a thin rubber band around the first knuckles of your right hand, including your thumb. Keep your elbow straight and separate your fingers as far as possible. Hold this position four seconds. Slowly return your fingers to the original position. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again using your left hand.
