Recently, the Journal of Sports Physical Therapy published a study concluding carpal tunnel physical therapy is as effective as surgery for this disorder. The lead author of the study said:

"We believe that physical therapy should be the first therapeutic option for almost all patients with this condition."

Here's what the study showed...

• During the study, half of the participants received weekly (30 minute) manual therapy sessions; the other half underwent surgery.
  
• After one month, the therapy group reported greater daily function and hand strength compared to the surgery patients.

This means carpal tunnel physical therapy is equivalent to (in most cases, better than) surgery for relieving symptoms.

FIND OUT: do you have carpal tunnel? No strings attached self-test.

Why is this important?

After decades of experience, we know that carpal tunnel surgery has a 50% failure rate. And 25% of these patients undergo the procedure a second time because of that failure. (The second surgery is called "revision surgery".)

Personally, it’s a regular part of my work week to speak with folks asking for advice after their surgeries failed. And I can feel their angst about having to make the "surgery decision" all over again.

Proceeding with surgery is never a simple decision. And making a decision about revision surgery is even more difficult. So if you’re thinking about it, weigh the facts carefully. 

The disease we call carpal tunnel syndrome is potentially very serious. And therefore it needs quick attention because most times it only worsens as the weeks and months progress. 

But doctors warn that some patients may not get good results with carpal tunnel surgery. These patients are those who:

• Experience severe symptoms.
• Are over 50 years old.
• Have health problems like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis & chronic conditions.
• Have other issues like depression, alcohol abuse or emotional stress.

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The above are known as risk factors. With any of them, the chances that surgery might fail is much higher. Failure means the surgery did not improve symptoms.

Talk to your doctor!

Many people don’t realize there are two sides to the surgery coin. In other words, there are advantages AND disadvantages. We call them the pros and cons of surgery. Most of the pros and cons revolve around comparing surgery with several non-surgical remedies now available. 

This article outlines the main issues with carpal release surgery you should discuss with your doctor.

As a neurophysiologist, I’ve always appreciated the unique capabilities of a certain type of carpal tunnel physical therapy. It's called myofascial release massage. This particular type manipulation therapy has profound biological effects. 

Frankly, when I read the above referenced article that physical therapy for carpal tunnel was as effective as surgery, I wasn't surprised at all.

One night about 15 years ago, my wife woke me up literally screaming from carpal tunnel pain shooting up her right arm.

Her carpal tunnel symptoms were unusual; the pain was intense and she had a sudden onset. Nonetheless, there was no mistaking the symptoms.

So right then and there, at the bedside, I performed myofascial release massage. With about 10 minutes of therapy, the pain melted away completely.

To completely cure her symptoms it would take my performing myofascial release massage treatments every morning and evening for a full 30 days. To be sure, that would rob me of sleep, too.

After a few nights, and while actually performing the massage therapy, I watched my fingers closely. I thought, "Why can't I build a machine to do this?"

To help my wife, I came up with the idea of "automated" therapy.

That’s the basic story behind my patent for the CarpalRx. Mine is the only automated myofascial release massage in the world. Basically, it's automated carpal tunnel physical therapy.

And it works wonders for any carpal tunnel patient who can benefit from physical therapy.

It’s massaging action works just like a therapist’s fingers by gently breaking up adhesions and returning the wrist tissues to their former supple state. (It's deep inside the wrist joint where carpal tunnel causes problems.)

The added benefits for carpal tunnel include:

• Relieving pressure on the tendons inside the wrist joint.
• Draining accumulated fluid inside the wrist joint.
• Promoting blood flow to rush healing nutrients into the site.

I invented the CarpalRx to relieve my wife’s carpal tunnel syndrome.  Now anyone can also relieve their symptoms at home.