Pregnancy is a miraculous journey filled with excitement and anticipation. However, it can also bring unexpected challenges, such as the discomfort or pain in the wrist and hand caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.
Many pregnant mothers experience this condition, so if you’re dealing with it, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage and ease these symptoms, and osteopathy can be a valuable ally in this journey.
What is the carpal tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, formed by the carpal bones at the bottom and the transverse carpal ligament across the top. Through this passage, nerves and tendons travel from your arm to your hand and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome often makes an unwelcome appearance during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, although it can strike as early as the first.
This condition occurs when the median nerve, which runs through your arm, gets compressed around the wrist and hand usually due to increased fluid, in a narrow passage known as the carpal tunnel. As a result, it primarily affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers, causing discomfort, altered sensation and pain.
When the median nerve is compressed within the carpal tunnel, the typical symptoms include:
- Tingling
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Burning pain in the fingers
- Sharp pain in the wrist and hand
Swelling (odema) - Loss of grip strength (e.g. holding a cup of tea may become difficult)
- Quite often, pregnant women notice that symptoms like tingling, numbness, and hand pain become worse at night when dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why is it so common during pregnancy?
It’s a question many ask. Research points to hormonal changes as a key factor. During pregnancy, hormones contribute to fluid retention and affect the flexibility of ligaments around joints, including those in the wrist and hand. This hormonal influence can reduce the space within the carpal tunnel, where the median nerve passes through. As a result, the nerve can become compressed and irritated, causing the tingling, numbness, and pain characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, gestational diabetes can play a role by causing a generalised slowing of nerve conduction, further contributing to the discomfort
How long do symptoms last?
Typically, the symptoms associated with pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome resolve within a few weeks after childbirth. However, this varies for everyone. Factors such as hormonal changes, fluid retention, and repetitive hand movements while caring for your newborn can delay symptom relief.
So what can you do at home?
If carpal tunnel symptoms are getting in the way of your pregnancy glow, don’t worry—there are several things you can try at home to ease the discomfort:
- Massage: Gently massage from your hand and wrist up your arm towards your heart to help move fluid away from the hand and wrist. This encourages better circulation and reduces swelling.
- Elevate Your Hands: Whenever possible, keep your hands elevated to reduce swelling. Prop them up with pillows while resting or sleeping.
- Gentle Exercises: Practice opening and closing your fists and gently flexing and extending your wrists. These simple movements can help keep your joints flexible, encourage fluid movement/ drainage and relieve some pressure.
- Ice Packs: Apply an ice pack over the wrist and hand to reduce inflammation and pain. A few minutes at a time can make a big difference.
How osteopathy can ease Carpal Tunnel during Pregnancy
If you’re still experiencing discomfort and other management hasn’t helped, consider seeing an osteopath —it could offer the relief you’re seeking.
Osteopathic treatment focuses on improving overall body function. As osteopaths, we take a holistic approach to your body and our treatment will consider improving fluid drainage, joint mobility and reducing muscle tension.
Osteopaths approach treatment holistically, focusing on improving overall body function, Here’s how we can help specifically with carpal tunnel during pregnancy:
- Posture: Pregnancy often leads to postural changes and imbalances. We will work with these changes to help your body to accommodate during pregnancy.
- Targeted Treatment: We focus on various muscle groups, ligaments, and joints such as the upper limbs (wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder), as well as the neck and thoracic cavity (ribs and upper spine). This comprehensive approach aims to relieve pressure, particularly on the median nerve, associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Lymphatic Drainage: By improving lymphatic drainage, we encourage better fluid flow, which can reduce swelling in the carpal tunnel area.
- Taping: We may use supportive tape to relieve pressure and provide stability to the affected areas.
- Personalised Exercises and Stretches: We’ll prescribe exercises and stretches tailored to your needs, assisting you through pregnancy to maintain flexibility and strength. These exercises are given to support your changing body and alleviate symptoms like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Through these methods, osteopathy will improve how your body is moving to help ease your symptoms during pregnancy, helping you feel more comfortable and supported.
If you’re experiencing carpal tunnel discomfort during your pregnancy, or suspect its onset, make an appointment by clicking the link below or calling 9717 1200 to see one of our osteopaths at Bodywell Healthcare.