Home treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Can ease pain and prevent further or permanent damage to your median nerve.
• May completely relieve your symptoms if you start treatment when symptoms first occur.

If you have mild symptoms, such as occasional tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your fingers or hand, follow these steps to reduce inflammation:

• Rest your fingers, hand, and wrist. Stop activities that you suspect are causing numbness and pain.
• Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as often as once or twice an hour, and take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Although studies have not shown NSAIDs to be effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, they may help you to relieve symptoms.
• Wear a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position and relieve pressure on your median nerve. See an illustration of a wrist splint.
• Do simple range-of-motion exercises with your fingers and wrist to prevent stiffening. Stop if you have pain or numbness.

Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome

When your pain is gone, begin exercises for flexibility and strength for your arm and wrist. Learn the best positions and posture for hand and wrist movements.