Experiencing hand or wrist pain, tingling, or numbness during pregnancy? You might be dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a common but often frustrating condition. Let’s walk through what it is, why it happens, and how you manage your symptoms effectively.

What is the Carpal Tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located in the wrist. The median nerve runs through this space, as well as several tendons that control hand movement. When pressure builds within the tunnel (e.g. due to swelling, inflammation, or repetitive use), it can compress and irritate the median nerve, leading to sensory symptoms and weakness in the hand.

Why Can It Occur During Pregnancy?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause changes in your circulation efficiency and result in your body holding on to more fluid, especially in the hands and wrists. This can increase pressure around structures in the wrist, which may contribute to symptoms.

Pregnancy hormones (like relaxin) make ligaments and connective tissues more “loose”, but they can also contribute to inflammation and thickening, reducing space in the tunnel.

Carpal tunnel symptoms are often reported more commonly during the second and third trimesters, although experiences can vary.

Possible Symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Symptoms may differ between individuals but can include:

• Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, middle finger and half of the ring finger
• Hand or wrist discomfort
• Reduced grip strength
• Weakness when using your thumb and when bending your wrist and fingers
• More noticeable symptoms at night or when waking up in the morning. When we are lying down fluid redistributes, and our wrists also tend to bend when sleeping, which can worsen symptoms

It is important to be reviewed by a healthcare professional to rule in carpal tunnel and rule out other causes of the above symptoms.

Physiotherapy management of carpal tunnel may include:

• Education and practical advice on wrist positioning and everyday activities that may place extra pressure on the wrist.
• Activity modification strategies to help reduce repetitive strain during work, phone use, or household tasks.
• Targeted exercises aimed at maintaining hand and wrist mobility and supporting overall hand function.
• Guidance on wrist supports or braces, which some people use particularly at night to keep the wrist in a more neutral position. Physiotherapists help to identify the correct type and fit of wrist braces to ensure optimal alignment and support for symptom management.
• Manual therapy to address both soft tissue tension and swelling around the forearm and wrist.

If you think you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, visit our team at Unique Physio for a physiotherapy assessment and personalised treatment plan.