Carpal Tunnel Treatment: What Actually Works and What Doesn't

When your hand goes numb, tingles, or aches after typing, scrolling, or gripping something too long, you might be dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where the median nerve gets squeezed at the wrist. It’s not just "getting old"—it’s a real physical issue caused by pressure on a nerve that runs from your forearm into your hand. Many people think rest alone will fix it, but that’s not always true. What actually helps depends on how far it’s progressed, what’s causing it, and how you use your hands every day.

Wrist splints, a simple brace worn at night or during repetitive tasks are often the first thing doctors recommend. They keep your wrist straight, reducing pressure on the nerve while you sleep. Studies show they help more than nothing at all—especially if you wake up with numb fingers. Then there’s corticosteroid injection, a shot that reduces swelling right at the site of the pinch. It doesn’t cure the problem, but it can give you weeks or months of relief without surgery. For some, that’s enough to retrain their habits and avoid the knife.

Not everyone needs injections or surgery. Nerve gliding exercises, gentle movements that help the median nerve slide more freely through the tunnel can make a real difference if done consistently. They’re not flashy, but they work better than stretching your fingers randomly. And if your job involves constant typing, hammering, or gripping? Adjusting your workstation isn’t optional—it’s part of the treatment. A bad keyboard angle or a too-tight grip can undo months of progress.

What doesn’t work? Crunches for your wrists, those "carpal tunnel rings," or hoping it goes away on its own. If you’ve had symptoms for more than a few weeks, ignoring them only makes the nerve more damaged. And while some people swear by acupuncture or essential oils, there’s no solid proof they change the outcome. What matters is stopping the pressure on the nerve—and that’s where real treatment begins.

You’ll find real stories below—people who tried splints and got relief, others who needed injections, and a few who avoided surgery by changing how they hold their phone or use their mouse. No fluff. No hype. Just what helped, what didn’t, and why.