Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or pinched at the wrist. This can result in numbness, tingling, and pain in the fingers and hand.
CTS is more common in females than males with females three times more likely than males to develop the problem. This may be due to differences in anatomy, as women tend to have smaller carpal tunnels than men. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause may also contribute to an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome in females.
CTS can occur at any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in individuals aged between 30 and 60. However, it can occur in younger individuals who engage in activities that put repetitive stress on the wrist and hand, such as computer work, manual labour, or playing musical instruments. Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, may also be at an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome at any age.
While surgery is often recommended in severe cases, fortunately there are several non-surgical treatments available that can help alleviate symptoms including physiotherapy, shockwave treatment and EMTT.
Our Shockwave Treatments
Achilles Tendonitis
Back Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dupuytren’s Disease
Golfer’s Elbow
Gout
Hip Pain
Knee Calcification
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Morton’s Neuroma
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Patellar Tendinitis – Jumpers Knee
Pseudarthrosis
Scar Tissue Treatment
Shoulder Calcification
Shoulder Tendinitis & Bursitis
Stress Fractures
Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis
Therapy for Diabetics with Frozen Shoulder
Trigger Finger
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an option that can be a very effective carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. Our physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to help alleviate symptoms, including:
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: We can teach patients exercises that can help reduce the pressure on the median nerve. These exercises can also help strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles, which can help prevent future injury.
- Manual Therapy: This involves the use of hands-on techniques to help improve joint mobility and reduce pain.
Shockwave Therapy
While Shockwave therapy is a relatively new treatment option that has been shown to be effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome, at our clinic we have been using focussed shockwave as a carpel tunnel syndrome treatment for some time. The therapy involves the use of high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The sound waves help increase blood flow to the area, which can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Shockwave Therapy & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research
There have been several clinical studies conducted on the effects of Shockwave Therapy (SWT) for CTS. One study published in the Journal of Hand Surgery compared the effects of focused and radial shockwave therapy in patients with CTS. The study found that both types of shockwave therapy were effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with mild to moderate CTS, but focused shockwave therapy was more effective than radial shockwave therapy in reducing pain and improving grip strength.
Another study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared the effects of focused shockwave therapy and wrist splinting in patients with CTS. The study found that both treatments were effective in improving pain and function, but focused shockwave therapy was more effective than wrist splinting in reducing pain and improving grip strength.
These studies are in line with our own experience of successfully treating patients with frozen shoulder.
We administer EMTT through a handheld device that is placed over the affected area. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete. Patients may receive several EMTT sessions over the course of a few weeks, depending on the severity of their symptoms and the extent of their injury.
EMTT works by generating electromagnetic fields that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. These fields can stimulate the production of growth factors and other signalling molecules that promote tissue repair and regeneration. EMTT can also help reduce pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow and reducing the activity of pain receptors in the affected area.
We are one of the few clinics in the country offering this as a solution to this painful condition and we recommend you book an appointment soon.
EMTT Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
We are now using ElectroMagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) in conjunction with Shockwave therapy as we have found the combination of the two treatments especially effective for dealing with CTS.
EMTT is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The treatment works by producing a pulsed electromagnetic field that penetrates the tissues of the shoulder joint and stimulates cellular activity. This increased cellular activity can help to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote tissue repair, all of which can improve the symptoms of CTS.
There have been a few clinical studies conducted on the use of EMTT for CTS. One study published in the Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology found that EMTT was effective in reducing pain and improving grip strength in patients with CTS. The study concluded that EMTT could be a useful adjunctive treatment for CTS.
Another study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared the effects of EMTT and wrist splinting in patients with CTS. The study found that both treatments were effective in reducing pain and improving grip strength, but EMTT was more effective than wrist splinting in reducing pain.
One of the major advantages of EMTT is that it is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any medication or surgery. This makes it a safe and convenient treatment option for patients who are looking for a non-invasive alternative to more invasive treatments.
ABOUT SHOCKWAVE CLINICS
Shockwave Clinics Ltd is the leading shockwave clinic in London and the UK with the most advanced and comprehensive range of shockwave and complimentary technologies, including magneto transduction therapy and radio frequency.
For over 10-years we have been using Focused Shockwave to treat numerous muscular problems caused by sports injuries as well as back pain, problems caused by invasive surgery and simple old age.