Yoga-Based Intervention for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Yoga stretching and relaxation exercises may effectively relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive motion in the hands and wrist can cause chronic pain. Researchers assigned 42 patients to attend twice-weekly sessions of Iyengar hatha yoga, or wear a wrist splint. The yoga exercises stretched and flexed the joints in the upper body, followed by a period of relaxation. After eight weeks, yoga participants had improved grip strength, and less wrist pain. Patients who simply wore a splint showed no improvement in their symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.