Do you have issues with your hands tingling, throbbing or going numb? If so, carpal tunnel syndrome could be the culprit — and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. This common yet frustrating problem affects everything you do, including how you work, how well you sleep and even how you hold a cup of coffee. Fortunately, solutions exist when you experience pain in Chicago due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether you need fast relief for severe pain or options for long-term recovery, MAPS Centers for Pain Control can help ease your symptoms and restore the function of your hands.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How Does It Affect Your Wrists and Hands?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of the median nerve — the nerve responsible for sensation and movement of the index, middle and ring fingers and thumb — within the narrow passageway called the carpal tunnel. Caused by swelling, inflamed tissue or thickened tendons crowding the area, this compression disrupts normal nerve signals, leading to pain, tingling and weakness in the wrist and hand. Repetitive motion, poor ergonomics and arthritis often trigger this condition, with symptoms building gradually and making everyday tasks like typing, gripping and lifting uncomfortable or painful.
Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Go Away on Its Own?
Mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes improve with rest and ergonomic changes, but the condition rarely resolves itself completely without targeted treatment. Root causes, including repetitive strain and inflammation, continue to put pressure on the median nerve, and ignoring your symptoms often causes them to worsen — sometimes leading to permanent nerve damage. Acting early by consulting a pain clinic in Chicago like MAPS that offers a full range of nonsurgical treatments gives you the best chance of reversing the problem without invasive procedures.
How Can Injection-Based Therapy Help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
When you want fast relief for carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery, consider injection-based therapy. Effective pain management for carpal tunnel syndrome requires relieving pressure on the nerve itself and restoring mobility to the hand and wrist rather than just easing the symptoms. Cortisone injections help the condition immensely by delivering a concentrated anti-inflammatory steroid directly to the area, calming swelling around the nerve. Many patients notice improvement within days, and relief typically lasts several months.
What Is Alternative Medicine for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy taps into your body’s own healing power when you want a natural medical alternative. When you choose this therapy, your interventional pain specialist draws a small blood sample, concentrates the growth factor-rich platelets found within it, and then injects them into your wrist. This regenerative technique promotes tissue repair to reduce hand and wrist pain without steroids or medications. Many patients experiencing chronic symptoms see positive changes from this Alternative Medicine, especially when they pair it with wearing a wrist brace.
What Role Do Braces and Supports Play in Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Braces keep your wrist in a neutral position to prevent pressure on the median nerve — especially at night. Wearing a wrist brace while you sleep often reduces early-morning symptoms, while wearing a daytime brace provides extra support if you perform repetitive tasks at work or while doing chores at home. If you combine bracing with other treatments with bracing, including injection-based therapy, or alternative medicine you typically get even better results. The experts at MAPS Centers for Pain Control can recommend the right type of support to alleviate your symptoms.
How Can MAPS Centers for Pain Control Help Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If you experience wrist pain or numbness lasting more than a few weeks or that keeps returning, schedule an appointment with MAPS Centers for Pain Control immediately. Our interventional pain specialists can confirm the diagnosis, identify the root cause and recommend treatments that actually work. We combine clinical expertise with cutting-edge tools for effective pain management, crafting a personalized plan to ease pain and restore movement — no surgery required. When you’re ready to regain control of your hands, schedule a consultation with MAPS so you can move, grip and live without hand and wrist pain.