It’s all in the Wrist: Tips to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In today’s world of texting, tweeting and abundant technology our wrists are in motion almost every waking hour. While minor aches and pains are common for many, for some this repetitive strain can exacerbate a painful condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Patients develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) due to an increase in pressure on the median nerve, often due to inflammation of the surrounding tissue within the wrist. This can lead to numbness and tingling in parts of the hand and can be quite painful. With each movement the wrist can become more strained and over time the hand weakens.

Although the exact cause of CTS is as yet unknown, the syndrome is known to more commonly affect women and people over the age of 50. In the vast majority of cases, the dominant hand is affected first.

Here are some tips to help you avoid CTS:

  • Keep your Hands Warm – Pain and stiffness are more likely to develop in cold environments. Maintain an adequate room temperature or, if it’s too cold, wear fingerless gloves.
  • Use a Light Touch – Hit keyboards and screens with only the amount of force required. Using unnecessary force can increase strain on the hands and wrists.
  • Take Breaks – Gently stretch your hands and wrist every now and then to avoid strain.
  • Maintain Good Posture – Sitting ergonomically with strong posture prevents your neck, back and shoulders from twisting or hunching forward which reduces strain all over the body. If you use a computer all day, consider investing in an ergonomic mouse.

Traditionally CTS has been treated through surgery, however recent advances in non-thermal laser therapy now provide patients with treatment options that are non-invasive and clinically demonstrated to reduce pain in an average of 95% of cases.1

Based on scientific findings from research by leading institutes including Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Theralase lasers work by supplying the body with billions of photons of light at very specific wavelengths. The body absorbs this laser light on a cellular level and transforms it into chemical energy, which the body then naturally uses to repair its own tissue. The bio-stimulating effect of laser therapy causes decreases in both pain and inflammation, and an increase in tissue regeneration and accelerated healing.

To find out more about how Theralase can help your patients, join us for a free informational webinar, Non-Thermal Laser Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thursday, May 14 at 12:00 PM EST. Dr. Alex Peplow will explore the physiological benefits of treating carpal tunnel with non-thermal laser therapy.

For more information or to register, please click here.

For patients wanting to find out more about how Theralase non-thermal laser therapy can help, visit our clinic locator to find a practitioner near you.


1. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatement controlled trials. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.thelancet.com (DOI: 1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1)