Gentle hand therapy for wrist pain, tingling and numbness.
Is pain running down your wrist making it harder to hold a pen or get through your everyday work? Carpal tunnel syndrome is incredibly common, affecting 3-6% of Australians, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep living with it.
At DX Physio, we use careful assessments and tailored physiotherapy designed to help you ease the pain and recover. Whether you just noticed your pain or have been dealing with it for a while, we want to help you.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed. The median nerve controls the movement and feeling in your hands, and it runs through the carpal tunnel from your arm down through your wrist.
When the tendons in your carpal tunnel become inflamed or swell, it can constrict your median nerve, causing pain and numbness, often along the thumb side and index and middle fingers.
There are several potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
Repetitive Movements
Previous Wrist Fractures
Previous Sprains or Injuries
Using Vibrating Tools
Tendinitis
Cysts or Tumours
Diabetes
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Swelling is also common in pregnancy, which may cause carpal tunnel syndrome to develop. At DX Physio, we support women through pregnancy and postnatal recovery, including the aches and changes that may come with them.
Left untreated, carpal tunnel symptoms often build over time and can affect both hands. The discomfort may even linger long after your hands are at rest. You might notice:
Sharp wrist pain
Burning pain around your fingers
Reduced wrist function
Hand weakness
Wrist swelling
Tingling or numbness in the fingers
Decreased fine motor coordination
Manual hand therapy, such as stretches and gentle muscle manipulation, may help relieve tension, improve flexibility, and alleviate symptoms.
Targeted exercises can help reduce pressure on the median nerve, improve wrist and hand mobility, and relieve symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dry needling is an evidence-based technique. It uses fine needles inserted into specific muscle trigger points that may help relieve tension and reduce pain.
Shockwave therapy uses targeted acoustic pulses directed at specific muscle groups to potentially relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote circulation for faster recovery.
Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts with a conversation about your symptoms and how they affect your day.
Your physiotherapist may gently assess your grip strength and movement, and check where you have numbness. Sometimes we may suggest further tests to confirm it.
Sometimes. Nerve compression in the neck or disc problems can cause similar symptoms, so a careful assessment matters. It helps make sure your treatment is guided by what’s actually going on.
Leaving carpal tunnel syndrome untreated may lead to further complications and worsening symptoms. In some severe cases, nerve damage and permanent loss of feeling and function may occur.
Small changes may help. Keeping your wrist straight, taking breaks from repetitive tasks, and gentle exercises may all help ease pressure on the median nerve and support your grip strength.
Not necessarily. Many people find their symptoms settle with conservative treatment. A surgical procedure is usually only discussed when symptoms are severe or haven’t responded to treatment.
If you do have surgery, physiotherapy may support your recovery with post-operative rehabilitation.
Alongside musculoskeletal physiotherapy, we have a special interest in women's health, so you may feel supported in your care.
From shockwave therapy to reformer Pilates and more, we offer a wide range of treatment options all under one roof.
Every treatment plan is highly personalised, so you may trust we're taking your unique circumstances, health needs, and goals into account every time.
Your hands and wrists get you through most of the day, so any discomfort is worth paying attention to. At DX Physio, we offer gentle, tailored care for carpal tunnel syndrome in Sydney. We’d love to help you feel comfortable in your hands again.
Services
Our Locations