By Lisa Snow
Personal Trainer in NYC

Wrist pain?  Considering surgery for carpal tunnel?

Is pain in your wrists or forearms interfering with your work or daily life?  Whether you have carpal tunnel or some other wrist injury, try physical therapy for at least 2-6 months before considering surgery.  Many people with carpal tunnel pain are able to reduce or eliminate their symptoms without surgery.  Also talk to your doctor or nutritionist about high-dose Vitamin B6, which provides significant pain relief for many carpal tunnel sufferers.  (The co-enzyme form of B6, called pyridoxal-5-phosphate, seems to be especially helpful.)

Corrective exercise by itself will not treat wrist pain or any other injury; however, working with a personal trainer in addition to physical therapy can be extremely helpful.  Whether you choose to work with a personal trainer during physical therapy or after discharge from PT, a trainer can help you by:

• Working the legs, back, and core without putting any strain on your wrists, helping you get back on track with your weight loss or fitness goals. 
• Incorporating gentle wrist stretches into your program to help you regain wrist mobility in both flexion and extension. 
• Helping you stay on top of any homework from your physical therapist to ensure you get the most from your PT experience.