Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Relief

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through a narrow channel in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This nerve supplies feeling to part of the hand and helps control some of the muscles at the base of the thumb. When it is squeezed, the result is a recognisable pattern of tingling, numbness and sometimes weakness in the hand.

It is one of the most frequent nerve-compression problems and tends to develop gradually, often becoming noticeable at night.

Typical symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger. Common symptoms include:

• Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the fingers
• Pain or an aching sensation in the hand or wrist, sometimes spreading up the arm
• Symptoms that are worse at night and may wake you from sleep
• A weak grip or a tendency to drop things
• In longer-standing cases, wasting of the muscle at the base of the thumb

Because the pain comes from a compressed nerve, it falls into the category of neuropathic pain, which behaves differently from ordinary aches. Our nerve pain explained page describes this further.

What causes it?

Often no single cause is found, but several factors can increase the pressure inside the carpal tunnel:

• Repetitive hand and wrist movements, including some types of work
• Pregnancy, due to fluid retention, which often settles after birth
• Conditions such as diabetes, an underactive thyroid or inflammatory arthritis
• A previous wrist injury or simply having a naturally narrow tunnel

How it is diagnosed

A doctor can often recognise carpal tunnel syndrome from the pattern of symptoms and a simple examination. In some cases, nerve conduction tests are used to confirm the diagnosis and gauge how much the nerve is affected, which helps guide treatment.

Treatment options

Mild cases sometimes improve on their own, especially when an underlying cause such as pregnancy resolves. When treatment is needed, options range from simple measures to surgery:

• Wrist splints, particularly worn at night, can keep the wrist in a neutral position and ease pressure on the nerve.
• Activity changes, such as taking breaks from repetitive tasks and improving posture at a desk.
• Pain relief: simple painkillers from our pain range may help with discomfort, though they do not cure the compression itself.
• Steroid injections into the carpal tunnel can reduce swelling and relieve symptoms for a time.
• Surgery to release the pressure on the nerve is highly effective for persistent or severe cases and is a common, straightforward procedure.

For persistent nerve symptoms, a doctor may also consider nerve-pain medicines, though splinting and treating the underlying cause usually come first. Broader self-help ideas appear in our guide on managing chronic nerve pain.

When to see a doctor

It is worth seeing a doctor if hand tingling or numbness is persistent, disturbs your sleep, or affects your grip. Seek prompt advice if you notice constant numbness or visible wasting of the thumb muscle, as long-standing pressure can cause lasting nerve damage that is harder to reverse. Early treatment generally gives the best results.

Self-care tips

While you arrange assessment, a few measures may ease symptoms:

• Wear a wrist splint at night if advised
• Take regular breaks from repetitive hand activities
• Gently shake or move the hand when tingling starts
• Set up your workstation so your wrists are supported and not bent

You can browse supportive options when you shop all, but a proper assessment will guide the most effective treatment.

The bottom line

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on a nerve at the wrist, producing tingling, numbness and weakness in the hand. Many cases respond well to splints, activity changes and treating any underlying cause, while surgery offers a reliable solution for stubborn cases. Seeing a doctor early helps prevent lasting nerve damage.

General information only — not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication.