Carpal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment of the median nerve by inflammation or swelling in the confined spaces of the wrist, usually around the tendon sheaths. It causes pain, pins and needles or numbness and sometimes loss of power in the thumb, index and middle finger. It may also cause wasting of the muscles in the area.
Carpal tunnel problems may be caused by injury to the wrist, repetitive strain, arthritis and it can also appear for no discernable reason. It can also occur during pregnancy. Occasionally, similiar symptoms are caused by tightness of the forearm muscles irritating the nerve.
Treatment aims to improve circulation, reducing inflammation using gentle articulation of the wrist and massage of the forearm muscles to loosen the tendons as they pass through the tunnel, allowing decompression of the nerve and healing to begin.