When someone first suspects that they are developing CTS they should not ignore
it. There is always a cause and if this cause can be taken care of early, then
the CTS will never develop into a severe case that requires surgery. Physical
therapists can advise you about wrist supports, proper rest cycles, and they
can assess and treat the wrist to help decrease the pressure on the nerve.
If surgery is needed to release the pressure then a physical therapist can
help you after surgery. They can help you rehabilitate your hand and wrist so
that it regains as much movement and strength as possible without causing further
damage. A physical therpist can also help the healing process along so that
only a small amount of scar tissue forms. If too much scar tissue forms then
even after the surgery there would be pressure on the nerve and therefore the
pain, weakness, and numbness would remain.
A physical therapist also teaches you how to decrease your risks of developing
carpal tunnel syndrome again.