Waking Up Every Night with Numb Hands?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Your nerve is being compressed at the wrist.
Your thumb, index, and middle fingers feel numb, worse at night, and shaking your hands helps. Common among people who use their wrists extensively, but can also occur with diabetes or thyroid issues.
3 Key Points You’ll Learn
- Typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
- When surgery is needed and when it’s not
- Non-surgical treatment options
These Symptoms Suggest Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Numbness in 1st-3rd fingers — Thumb, index, middle, and half of ring finger feel numb.
- Worse at night — Wake up from numbness, shaking hands provides relief.
- Worsens with wrist flexion — Smartphone use, driving, holding books, etc.
- Dropping objects — Weakened thumb muscles reduce grip strength.
- Feeling of swelling — Sensation of swelling even when hands aren’t actually swollen.
Why Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occur?
On the palm side of your wrist is a narrow passage (carpal tunnel) surrounded by bones and ligaments. Through this space pass the median nerve and 9 tendons.
When the nerve gets compressed in this narrow space, numbness occurs. Causes include:
- Repetitive use — Excessive wrist use causes tendon swelling that compresses the nerve
- Edema — Pregnancy, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
- Anatomical structure — Congenitally narrow tunnel
- Diabetes — Makes nerves more vulnerable to compression
Self-Test: Phalen’s Test
- Press the backs of both hands together
- Hold wrists at 90-degree flexion for 60 seconds
- Numbness in 1st-3rd fingers indicates positive test
※ Self-tests are for reference only. Nerve conduction studies may be needed for accurate diagnosis.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome improve with non-surgical treatment. However, surgery may be considered in these cases:
Surgery Candidates
- Visible atrophy of thumb muscles
- No response to conservative treatment for 6+ months
- Severe nerve damage on nerve conduction studies
- Significant sensory loss
Non-Surgical Treatment Possible
- Mild symptoms
- Short duration of symptoms
- No muscle atrophy
- Temporary causes (e.g., pregnancy)
Our Approach at Yonsei Shinmyung
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment focuses on creating space around the nerve and correcting wrist usage patterns.
- Stage 1: Downshift (Circulation HD)
Under ultrasound guidance, we perform hydrodissection around the median nerve. This releases adhesions surrounding the nerve and creates space. - Stage 2: Activate (Circulation PT)
Nerve gliding exercises, wrist stretching, and forearm muscle strengthening. - Stage 3: Integrate
Correction of wrist brace usage, keyboard/mouse posture, and sleeping positions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Self-Care
Immediate Actions
- Wear wrist brace (especially during sleep)
- Avoid wrist flexion positions
- Adjust keyboard/mouse height
- Use cushion under wrists
- Reduce smartphone usage
Nerve Gliding Exercises
- Extend wrist backward and straighten fingers
- Stretch arm forward fully
- Gently pull fingers with opposite hand
- Hold 10 seconds, repeat 10 times
- 3 sets per day
If thumb muscles are visibly reduced or you frequently drop objects, seek medical attention quickly. Recovery becomes difficult if nerve damage progresses.
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Struggling with Nightly Hand Numbness?
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