Physical Therapy
You may need physical therapy if you suffer from functional impairments from back and neck injuries, neurological problems, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida and injuries related to work, recreation, sports and other daily activities.
What We Treat
<h4>What is carpal tunnel syndrome?</h4>
<p>Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an ailment affecting the wrist and hand. The nerve controlling feeling and movement in the wrist and hand involved in carpal tunnel syndrome is the median nerve. It lies in a passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. In CTS, the tunnel becomes narrow because of swelling in the wrist. The smaller tunnel squeezes the median nerve, which causes pain and other symptoms. </p>
<h4>What are the causes?</h4>
<p>CTS may be caused by moving your hand and wrist over and over again while doing a task, arthritis, a pocket of fluid or growth in the carpal tunnel, pregnancy or use of tools that vibrate. </p>
<h4>What are the signs or symptoms?</h4>
<p>Symptoms of this condition include:</p>
<ul>
<li>A tingling feeling in your fingers. You may feel this pain in the thumb, index finger, or middle finger.</li>
<li>Tingling or loss of feeling in your hand.</li>
<li>Pain in your entire arm. This pain may get worse when you bend your wrist and elbow for a long time.</li>
<li>Pain in your wrist that goes up your arm to your shoulder.</li>
<li>Pain that goes down into your palm or fingers.</li>
<li>Weakness in your hands. You may find it hard to grab and hold items.</li>
</ul>
<p>Your symptoms may feel worse during the night.</p>
<h4>How is this diagnosed?</h4>
<p>CTS is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. Tests and imaging may also be done to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Check the electrical signals sent by your nerves into the muscles.</li>
<li>Check how well electrical signals pass through your nerves.</li>
<li>Check possible causes of your CTS. These include X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI.</li>
</ul>
<h4>How is this treated?</h4>
<p>CTS may be treated with:</p>
<ul>
<li>Lifestyle changes. You will be asked to stop or change the activity that caused your problem.</li>
<li>Physical therapy. This may include:
<ul>
<li>Exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in the wrist and hand.</li>
<li>Nerve gliding or flossing exercises. These help keep nerves moving smoothly through the tissues around them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Occupational therapy. You'll learn how to use your hand again.</li>
<li>Medicines for pain and swelling. You may have injections in your wrist.</li>
<li>A wrist splint or brace.</li>
<li>Surgery.</li>
</ul>
Our physical therapists work to treat disabilities and injuries of the muscles, bones and joints through a variety of physical treatments. They focus on your rehabilitation and preventing further damage or pain by promoting healing and training for injured or strained tissues.
Their goal is to restore normal functioning by:
- Evaluating current function and mobility.
- Providing specialized intervention and exercise programs to improve balance, coordination, strength and flexibility.
- Training in common movement skills such as wheelchair function, transfers, walking and standing.
- Educating you and your family/caregivers.
- Training in safe body mechanisms with home, recreational and work activities.