Evaluation and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

1. Nerves: Anatomy, Location, and Basic Function of the Median Nerve

This chapter provides an overview of nerve cell function, origins, pathway, and branching patterns of the median nerve. Course participants will explore the anatomy around the carpal canal of the wrist to gain an understanding of the causes and risks for median nerve compression.

2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Imposters

This chapter will explore the necessary differential diagnosis for clients who present to the clinic with median nerve distribution numbness or tingling. Screening for and ruling out conditions such as cervical radiculopathy, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, and proximal median nerve impingement will increase confidence in your treatment diagnosis and lead to more effective treatment interventions.

3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evaluation Considerations

This chapter will use a basic clinical examination coupled with special tests to further identify sensory and motor nerve compression at the carpal canal. This chapter will provide a scaffolding to assess nerve glide ability of the median nerve.

4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Conservative Management

This chapter will integrate learning from previous chapters regarding differential diagnosis and focus on interventions specifically for conservative management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Conservative management evidence will be presented, and manual therapy techniques will be highlighted to improve longitudinal and transverse neural mobility.