This page summarises publicly available NHS information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness, and sometimes pain in the hand and fingers — usually the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. It often gets worse at night.
When NHS resources suggest seeing a GP
- Symptoms keep coming back or are getting worse
- Hand weakness makes it hard to grip things
- Symptoms affect both hands
- Self-care has not helped after a few weeks
Self-care information from NHS
- Wear a wrist splint at night
- Take regular breaks from repetitive activities
- Do hand and wrist exercises
- Try to keep your wrist in a neutral position when typing
Common questions
Does carpal tunnel go away on its own?
Mild cases may improve with rest and wrist splints. However, without treatment, symptoms often progress over time. Early intervention gives the best results.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
It is caused by compression of the median nerve. Risk factors include repetitive hand use, pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid problems, and family history.
Get personalised NHS information
Describe your specific situation and receive a structured summary of relevant NHS information, tailored to your age, gender, and symptoms.
Check my symptomsFree · ~60 seconds · Not medical advice
Related wrists/hands topics
This page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation. NorMed organises publicly available NHS information and is not affiliated with the NHS.