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  • Our therapists are licensed in New York State and active members in the American Physical Therapy Association. We have advanced training in joint mobilization and myofascial release techniques.
  • We are dedicated practitioners with a passion for the profession and a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment and healing. We treat each patient as an individual and treat the whole person, with a plan of care designed to meet the patient’s set goals for health, functionality and a return to work, tasks and activities. We network with a team of physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists in order to provide guidance to other modalities that may be effective in the patients’ care. We also offer superior Telehealth services for physical therapy.
  • Physical Therapist and owner Dr. Karena Wu PT, DPT, OCS is a graduate of the Program in Physical Therapy at Columbia University and is affiliated with several healthcare organizations in New York City. She is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Kinesio Taping Practitioner and Pilates Instructor, and uses SpiderTech Taping. She is also a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Graston Technique Specialist and Pilates Instructor. She holds LSVT BIG, FMS and SFMA Level 1 certifications as well. Dr. Wu also specializes in vertigo and temporomandibular joint disorders.
  • ActiveCare is primarily an out-of-network facility. We accept all insurance with out-of-network benefits and file for most major insurance plans. We work with all prospective patients to create workable payment plans regardless of insurance coverage.
  • ActiveCare accepts Medicare, No-Fault and Workers’ Compensation patients depending on schedule availability.
  • ActiveCare’s administrators provide seamless and efficient concierge-style client service to all of our patients. And the whole ActiveCare team makes sure your time with us is a beneficial, productive and enjoyable experience.

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Tag Archives: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How a Wrist Brace Can Help

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How a Wrist Brace Can Help

What is carpal tunnel syndrome and can a wrist brace help improve this condition? If you ever feel numbness, tingling, or pain in your fingers, forearm, or hand, you might be a victim of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This medical condition happens when the median nerve of your hand is compressed or squeezed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Wrist Brace
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This nerve goes all the way to your wrist, and can further lead to dysfunction in your hand, wrist, and forearm. Once you begin to feel any of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, you should get it checked immediately, as ignoring the condition can lead to permanent dysfunction. Here are some of the main symptoms to know the indication and the ways you can treat carpal tunnel syndrome:

Cause and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Many reasons can cause a person to have carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:

  • Hereditary traits can significantly cause a person to experience carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Excessive use of hands, and repetitive movements in the exact positioning daily or for a prolonged period can put pressure on the nerves of your wrist.
  • Extreme extension and flexion of your hand and wrist for a prolonged period also increases pressure on your hand’s and wrist’s nerves.
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy also cause swelling, which sometimes puts undue pressure on the nerves of your hand and wrist.
  • Certain existing health conditions, such as arthritis, thyroid gland, and diabetes, are also some significant reasons for a person having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The causes can vary from person to person. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are vast, but should not be ignored at any cost. These symptoms start gradually and even disappear after a short while, but they can get worse if not treated in time. Some common symptoms include:

  • Tingling or pain that travels from your forearm towards your hand (mainly the first 4 digits thumb through ring finger).
  • Pain, tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in your fingers that wake you up at night.
  • Shock-like occasional sensations in your fingers, including your thumb.
  • Feeling clumsiness and weakness in your hand might decrease the ability to perform daily tasks.
  • Numbness, weakness, and proprioception lead to dropping objects.

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If carpal tunnel syndrome in diagnosed at an early stage, your doctor might recommend you to mitigate the issue by non-surgical treatments, such as:

  • Wearing a brace or splint at night reduces the bending of your wrist, decreasing the pressure on your nerves. Keeping your wrist in a neutral position at night and supporting the hand nerves throughout the day is the most effective treatment.
  • Some anti-inflammatory medicines like Naproxen and Ibuprofen also relieve inflammation and pain.
  • Changing your activities and hand movements that increase the pressure on the nerves and aggravate the symptoms also help.
  • Some doctors prescribe hand gliding exercises that help your median nerve glide better.
  • Anti-inflammatory steroid injections like cortisone and corticosteroid also relieve pain and inflammation.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Wrist Brace Causes
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How a Wrist Brace is an Option for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Wrist brace for carpal tunnel | Best PT NYCMost people tend to bend their wrist unconsciously during their sleep, which puts pressure on the median nerve of their hand. Wearing a wrist brace keeps your hand in a neutral position, keeping you from bending it at night.

If you wear it during the daytime, there will be less pressure on the nerves while you carry out your daily activities. Wearing a wrist brace not only decreases the pain and inflammation of your fingers, wrist, and forearm, but also minimizes the symptoms and helps resolve the condition to a great extent.

Wearing a wrist brace is the most effective non-surgical option that relieves you of your pain and supports your hand movements and proper positioning. These wrist braces come in different sizes and even adjustable bands, so you can adjust the pressure as per their comfort and need.

Carpal Tunnel & Wrist Braces: Conclusion

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition especially with the increase in at home work and digital attachment to our gadgets. The patient can be relieved of pain and symptoms through early diagnosis and treatment. There are many ways of treating this condition, including non-surgical and surgical treatments; however, the most effective conservative way of treatment is wearing a wrist brace throughout the night and even during the daytime if needed.

If you are looking for a wrist brace or education on this condition, call us for a consultation at ActiveCare Physical Therapy ©. This wrist brace will help relieve you of the burning and pain and minimize the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

ActiveCare Physical Therapy ©
29 West 38th Street
Suite 601
New York, NY 10018
(212) 777-4374
staff@bestptnyc.com

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