Neuromuscular Spine and Joint Center

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Exercises

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woman with carpal tunnel working at her desk

 

Here are some examples of typical rehabilitation exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercise if you start to have pain.

Your doctor or your physical or occupational therapist will tell you when you can start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.

How to do the exercises

Note: When you no longer have pain or numbness, you can do exercises to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from coming back. Do not do any stretch or movement that is uncomfortable or painful.

Warm-up stretches

  1. Rotate your wrist up, down, and from side to side. Repeat 4 times.
  2. Stretch your fingers far apart. Relax them, and then stretch them again. Repeat 4 times.
  3. Stretch your thumb by pulling it back gently, holding it, and then releasing it. Repeat 4 times.

Prayer stretch

Prayer stretch

  1. Start with your palms together in front of your chest just below your chin.
  2. Slowly lower your hands toward your waistline, keeping your hands close to your stomach and your palms together until you feel a mild to moderate stretch under your forearms.
  3. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wrist flexor stretch

Wrist flexor stretch

  1. Extend your arm in front of you with your palm up.
  2. Bend your wrist, pointing your hand toward the floor.
  3. With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
  4. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wrist extensor stretch

Wrist extensor stretch

Repeat steps 1 through 4 of the stretch above, but begin with your extended hand palm down.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Care instructions adapted under license by Neuromuscular Spine & Joint Center. This care instruction is for use with your licensed healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Kopp Medical LLC, DBA Neurmomuscular Spine & Joint Center disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Care Instructions

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The sacroiliac joints connect the spine and each side of the pelvis. These joints bear the weight and stress of your torso. This makes them easy to injure. Injury or overuse of these joints may cause low back pain.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Stress on these joints can cause joint pain. Sacroiliac joint pain is more common in pregnant women. Certain kinds of arthritis also may cause this type of joint pain.

Home treatment may help you feel better. So can avoiding activities that stress your back. Your doctor also may recommend physical therapy. This may include doing exercises and stretches to help with pain. You may also learn to use good posture.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. Knowing your test results and keeping a list of the medicines you take is also a good idea.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Ask your doctor about light exercises that may help your back pain. Try to do light activities throughout the day. But make sure to take rests as needed. Find a comfortable position for rest, but don’t stay in one position for too long. Avoid activities that cause pain.
  • Put a warm water bottle, a heating pad set on low, or a warm cloth on your back to apply heat. Do not go to sleep with a heating pad on your skin.
  • Put ice or a cold pack on your back for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor tells you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
  • To prevent future back pain, do exercises to stretch and strengthen your back and stomach. Learn how to use good posture, safe lifting techniques, and proper body mechanics.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You are unable to move a leg at all.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have new or worse symptoms in your legs or buttocks. Symptoms may include:
    • Numbness or tingling.
    • Weakness.
    • Pain.
  • You lose bladder or bowel control.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You are not getting better as expected.

Care instructions adapted under license by Neuromuscular Spine & Joint Center. This care instruction is for use with your licensed healthcare professional. Always ask your healthcare professional if you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction. Kopp Medical LLC, DBA Neuromuscular Spine & Joint Center disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Are you suffering from chronic knee pain?

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Have you been suffering from persistent knee pain that just won’t go away? If so, a genicular nerve block may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Dr. Kopp and the Neuromuscular Spine and Joint Center provide a genicular nerve block that is designed to provide lasting relief of your painful symptoms. Our advanced treatment method targets specific nerves around the knee joint. This procedure can significantly reduce pain for prolonged periods of time with minimal impact on other areas of your body.

A genicular nerve block is an injection of anesthetic into the area around your knee to reduce pain. Let’s take a closer look at what it involves and how it can help relieve your pain.

What is a Genicular Nerve Block?

A genicular nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic into the area around your knee to reduce pain. The injection targets the three nerves that travel through the area—the superior medial, inferior medial, and lateral genicular nerves. When these nerves are blocked, they can no longer send signals to your brain, increasing the pain relief level you experience.

Benefits of a Genicular Nerve Block

A genicular nerve block has several benefits, including reducing or eliminating chronic knee pain and providing long-term relief from swelling and inflammation in the joint. This can help improve mobility and range of motion in your knee and make it easier to perform everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs without discomfort. In addition, some studies have shown that these injections may also help reduce opioid usage for those who suffer from chronic knee pain by providing more effective and longer-lasting relief than prescription medications alone.

Risks of a Genicular Nerve Block

Risks/complications of a genicular nerve block are very rare, but may include: infection, bleeding or bruising at the injection site, tissue damage, allergic reactions, or temporary numbness or tingling in the leg or foot. It’s important to speak with your doctor about any potential risks before undergoing this type of procedure so you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.

Genicular nerve blocks have become increasingly popular as a way to treat chronic knee pain because they provide long-term relief from swelling and inflammation without relying on opioids for treatment. If you’re suffering from chronic knee pain that doesn’t seem to be getting any better despite other treatments, then speaking with your doctor about whether this might be right for you could be worth considering.

You may be able to get back in action quickly and enjoy a full range of motion once again! With our cutting-edge medical techniques combined with specialized equipment, we’ll make sure you experience the highest standard of care while getting life-changing results.

Contact us now and schedule an appointment today so we can start working towards relieving your knee pain!

Learning About Opiates

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Introduction

Opiates are medicines used to relieve moderate to severe pain. They may be used for a short time for pain, such as after surgery. Or they may be used for long-term pain. They don’t cure a health problem. But they help you manage the pain.

Opiates relieve pain by changing the way your body feels pain and the way you feel about pain.

Sometimes opiates are used for people who can’t take other pain medicines. They may be prescribed if you have heart, kidney, or liver problems. For instance, you may take an opiate instead of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

Opiates are powerful medicines. You may need to take extra steps to stay safe.

Examples

Opiates or other medicines that contain them include:

  • Codeine (Tylenol 3).
  • Hydrocodone (Norco).
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet).

Safety tips

Taking too much (overdose) of an opiate can cause death. To avoid an overdose:

  • Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
  • Do not break, crush, or chew a pill. Do not cut or tear a patch.
  • Do not drink alcohol. Do not take recreational or illegal drugs.
  • Do not drive or operate machinery until the medicine effects are gone. Wait until you can think clearly.
  • Keep your medicine away from children and pets. Store it in a safe and secure place.
  • Call your doctor if you miss a dose of your medicine and aren’t sure what to do. Do not double your dose.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you use any other medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines. Make sure your doctor knows all of the medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you take. Taking some medicines together can cause problems.
  • Talk to your doctor about a naloxone rescue kit. A kit can help you, and even save your life, if you take too much of an opiate.

Side effects

Common side effects include:

  • Constipation.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. You may feel like you might faint.
  • Feeling sleepy.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

You may have other side effects or reactions. Check the information that comes with your medicine.

What to know about taking this medicine

  • Your body gets used to opiates if you take them all the time. You could have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. Symptoms include nausea, sweating, chills, diarrhea, anxiety, and shaking. But you can avoid these symptoms if you slowly stop taking the medicine as your doctor tells you to.
  • You have a small chance of addiction if you take opiates as prescribed. Your risk is a bit higher if you have abused drugs in the past.
  • Some opiates have acetaminophen in them. Check the labels on all the other medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs. Many medicines have acetaminophen. Do not take others with acetaminophen in them unless your doctor has told you to. Taking too much acetaminophen can be harmful. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about this.
  • Be sure you know how to safely get rid of any leftover medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to do this. Ask for written instructions.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. These may include:
    • Sudden raised, red areas (hives) all over your body.
    • Swelling of the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue.
    • Trouble breathing.
    • Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
  • You have signs of an overdose. These include:
    • Cold, clammy skin.
    • Confusion.
    • Severe nervousness or restlessness.
    • Severe dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness.
    • Slow breathing.
    • Seizures.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as:
    • A rash or hives (raised, red areas on the skin).
    • Itching.
    • Swelling.
    • Belly pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your medicine is not helping with the pain.
  • You are having side effects, such as constipation.

Care instructions adapted under license by Neuromuscular Spine & Joint Center. This care instruction is for use with your licensed healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Kopp Medical LLC, DBA Neurmomuscular Spine & Joint Center disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Chronic Pain: Care Instructions

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Chronic pain is pain that lasts a long time (months or even years) and may or may not have a clear cause. It is different from acute pain, which usually does have a clear cause like an injury or illness and gets better over time. Chronic pain:

  • Lasts over time but may vary from day to day.
  • Does not go away despite efforts to end it.
  • May disrupt your sleep and lead to fatigue.
  • May cause depression or anxiety.
  • May make your muscles tense, causing more pain.
  • Can disrupt your work, hobbies, home life, and relationships with friends and family.

Chronic pain is a very real condition. It is not just in your head. Treatment can help and usually includes several methods used together, such as medicines, physical therapy, exercise, and other treatments. Learning how to relax and changing negative thought patterns can also help you cope.

Chronic pain is complex. Taking an active role in your treatment will help you better manage your pain. Tell your doctor if you have trouble dealing with your pain. You may have to try several things before you find what works best for you.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Pace yourself. Break up large jobs into smaller tasks. Save harder tasks for days when you have less pain, or go back and forth between hard tasks and easier ones. Take rest breaks.
  • Relax, and reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help.
  • Keep moving. Gentle, daily exercise can help reduce pain over the long run. Try low- or no-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and stationary biking. Do stretches to stay flexible.
  • Try heat, cold packs, and massage.
  • Get enough sleep. Chronic pain can make you tired and drain your energy. Talk with your doctor if you have trouble sleeping because of pain.
  • Think positive. Your thoughts can affect your pain level. Do things that you enjoy to distract yourself when you have pain instead of focusing on the pain. See a movie, read a book, listen to music, or spend time with a friend.
  • If you think you are depressed, talk to your doctor about treatment.
  • Keep a daily pain diary. Record how your moods, thoughts, sleep patterns, activities, and medicine affect your pain. You may find that your pain is worse during or after certain activities or when you are feeling a certain emotion. Having a record of your pain can help you and your doctor find the best ways to treat your pain.
  • Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
    • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
    • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

Reducing constipation caused by pain medicine

  • Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your diet each day. These foods are high in fiber.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
  • If your doctor recommends it, get more exercise. Walking is a good choice. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk every day. Try for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
  • Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. A daily routine may help. Take your time and do not strain when having a bowel movement.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • Your pain gets worse or is out of control.
  • You feel down or blue, or you do not enjoy things like you once did. You may be depressed, which is common in people with chronic pain. Depression can be treated.
  • You have vomiting or cramps for more than 2 hours.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You cannot sleep because of pain.
  • You are very worried or anxious about your pain.
  • You have trouble taking your pain medicine.
  • You have any concerns about your pain medicine.
  • You have trouble with bowel movements, such as:
    • No bowel movement in 3 days.
    • Blood in the anal area, in your stool, or on the toilet paper.
    • Diarrhea for more than 24 hours.

Care instructions adapted under license by Neuromuscular Spine & Joint Center. This care instruction is for use with your licensed healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Kopp Medical LLC, DBA Neurmomuscular Spine & Joint Center disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.