Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor’s direction. Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first.
Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending.
If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.
Acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved.
An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.