Carpal Tunnel: What is it?
In the United States Carpal Tunnel syndrome affects 1 in 3 per 1000 people. It is an upper extremity condition that affects the median nerve with symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning and aching which affects the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.
Once symptoms occur, there are multiple different treatment options which include splinting, resting, icing, Occupational and Physical Therapy, cortisone injections by an MD, and surgical intervention. Diagnosis comes from a team of specialists including Neurology, Primary Care providers, Orthopedic Surgeons, and Physical/Occupational Therapists.
In Occupational Therapy we start with splinting utilizing thermoplastic material to make a custom splint to support and decrease compression to the median nerve.
Interventions such as stretching, pain and edema management, and nerve glides are utilized to minimize symptoms and symptoms are monitored creating a treatment plan which best fits the individual.
The good news is- Carpal Tunnel can be treated, and this is not a pain that you have to live with!
Tiffany Benoit, OTR/L
Tiffany is an Occupational Therapist at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates. She joined the team in the spring of 2013 as a Physical Therapy Aide assisting clients with their workouts in the gym.
She graduated from Lyndon State College in 2103 with a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in pre-professional Physical Therapy. She completed the Masters in Occupational Therapy Program at Utica College and now provides inpatient Occupational Therapy for patients at NVRH, and outpatient Occupational Therapy for Dan Wyand, PT & Associates.
Tiffany enjoys staying active and spending time with her family.