Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has always been recognized as an occupational disease. Many other occupational diseases has decreased over time. CTS appears to be becoming more prevalent.
A 2019 study viewed the impact/benefit of wrist-specific exercises and oral enzyme therapy on automotive assembly line workers with CTS. It excludes those treated previously or who had a positive history of hormone replacement, pregnancy, inflammatory joint disease, trauma to the affected hand, polyneuropathy, etc.
CTS Home Exercises For Nine Weeks:
- Massage the wrist with your palm side up using the thumb from the opposite hand for 30 seconds.
- Put palms together in front of your chest. Press fingers slowly against each other for five seconds and release for five seconds. Press your palms together and then slowly lower your hands toward the floor. Repeat as tolerated, gradually increasing reps.
- Neuromobilization: Stand sideways to a wall. Put the palm of the left hand on the wall. Fingers pointing back to a “10 o’clock” position. Begin with the elbow bent and slowly straighten it while bending the head sideways toward the wall (left). Bend the elbow and bend the neck/head to the right. Repeat six to eight times with each hand.
The enzyme group is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, and analgesic effects. This includes 2,000 mg pancreatin, 900 mg bromelain, 1,200 mg papain, 480 mg trypsin, 20 mg chymotrypsin, 200 mg amylase, 200 mg lipase, and 1,000 mg of rutin for 9 weeks divided into 2 doses a day.
Compared with a third group that continued their usual activities, participants in both the enzyme and exercise groups reported improvements in their CTS symptoms. Nerve conduction velocity tests revealed improved function in the median nerve.
Chiropractors commonly utilize a multi-modal approach when treating CTS. It often includes manual therapies, nutritional recommendations, exercises, activity/modifications, and overnight wrist splinting.
