Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and the Best Treatment Options

Khairunnisa Hemani • November 25, 2025

Experiencing tingling fingers, wrist pain, or numbness in your hands? You may have carpal tunnel syndrome ,one of the most common nerve compression conditions. At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, our physiotherapy Mississauga specialists help patients find effective, non-surgical relief from CTS symptoms.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel—a narrow pathway in the wrist. Over time, this pressure can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers, often interfering with daily activities, work performance, and overall quality of life.

Common Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms

Numbness and Tingling: You may feel a pins-and-needles sensation in your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, especially when gripping items, typing, or at night.

Wrist and Hand Pain: Aching, burning, or shooting pain radiating from your wrist up your forearm or down into your palm.

Weakness and Grip Loss: Difficulty gripping objects, buttoning clothes, or performing fine motor tasks. Dropping items unexpectedly is common.

Nighttime Symptoms: Many experience nocturnal symptoms that disrupt sleep, requiring hand shaking to restore sensation.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Repetitive Movements: Repeated wrist motions from typing, using tools, or assembly work increase carpal tunnel pressure.

Poor Ergonomics: Improper workstation setup and extreme wrist positions narrow the carpal tunnel space.

Medical Conditions: Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, and obesity increase CTS risk through inflammation.

Anatomical Factors: Women develop CTS three times more frequently than men due to smaller carpal tunnels.

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and fluid retention can cause temporary carpal tunnel syndrome.

How Physiotherapy Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Research shows physical therapy achieves results comparable to surgery, with improvements visible in as little as 2 weeks. At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, our physiotherapy Mississauga team provides:

Manual Therapy: Median nerve gliding exercises, tendon mobilization, and soft tissue techniques reduce nerve compression and improve mobility. Clinical trials show manual therapy provides similar benefits to surgery at 1-year and 4-year follow-ups.

Therapeutic Exercises: Customized wrist strengthening and hand exercises support the median nerve, improve flexibility, and address muscle imbalances.

Advanced Modalities: Ultrasound therapy, low-level laser therapy , and electrical stimulation reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.

Ergonomic Assessments: Comprehensive workstation evaluations identify contributing factors with practical solutions for keyboard positioning, mouse use, and work habits.

Night Splinting: Wrist splints maintain neutral position during sleep, significantly reducing nocturnal symptoms.

Everyday Solutions for Carpal Tunnel Relief

Workspace Ergonomics:

Position keyboard at elbow height with neutral wrists
Use ergonomic keyboard and mouse
Keep forearms parallel to floor

Regular Breaks:

Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds for wrist stretches
Alternate tasks throughout the day

Effective Stretches:

Prayer Stretch: Press palms together, lower toward waist, hold 15-30 seconds
Wrist Extension: Extend arm palm up, pull fingers back gently, hold 15-30 seconds
Wrist Flexion: Extend arm palm down, press fingers toward floor, hold 15-30 seconds

Strengthening Exercises:

Squeeze therapy putty or stress balls
Practice finger-to-thumb opposition
Use hand grippers with increasing resistance

Night-Time Management:

Wear wrist splint during sleep
Avoid sleeping on hands or with bent wrists

Additional Tips:

Keep hands warm in cold environments
Use tools with padded handles
Maintain healthy weight and manage underlying conditions
Stay hydrated to reduce inflammation

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does carpal tunnel heal with physiotherapy? Most patients see improvement within 2-6 weeks; complete recovery typically takes 6-12 weeks with consistent treatment.

Can carpal tunnel go away without surgery? Yes, research shows physiotherapy achieves outcomes comparable to surgery for mild to moderate cases.

What are the best exercises for carpal tunnel? Nerve gliding, tendon gliding, and wrist strengthening exercises are most effective—our physiotherapists teach proper technique.

When should I see a physiotherapist? Seek help if symptoms persist beyond two weeks, interfere with sleep, or you experience progressive weakness.

Is carpal tunnel related to computer use? Prolonged typing with poor ergonomics significantly contributes to CTS development, especially without proper breaks.

What's the difference between carpal tunnel and tendonitis? CTS causes numbness/tingling from nerve compression; tendonitis causes pain from tendon inflammation without numbness.

Can I prevent carpal tunnel from worsening? Yes—proper ergonomics, regular breaks, wrist exercises, night splints, and early treatment prevent progression.

Does carpal tunnel affect both hands? CTS can affect one or both hands, often starting in the dominant hand then progressing bilaterally.

What's the success rate of physiotherapy for CTS? Clinical trials show physiotherapy achieves similar success rates to surgery for mild-to-moderate cases.

Can carpal tunnel come back after treatment? Recurrence is possible without addressing contributing factors, but maintaining proper ergonomics and exercises significantly reduces risk.

Evidence-Based Research

A 4-year randomized controlled trial found that manual therapy provided similar benefits to surgery, with patients receiving just 3 sessions of physical therapy. A systematic review demonstrated that manual therapy significantly improves pain intensity, physical function, and nerve conduction in CTS patients.

Get Expert Treatment at Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab

Don't let carpal tunnel syndrome limit your life. At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, our physiotherapy Mississauga specialists provide evidence-based carpal tunnel treatment delivering lasting relief without surgery.

Why Choose Delta Physiotherapy in Mississauga: