Here at our clinic in Cincinnati, OH, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common reasons people walk through our doors. If you’ve been struggling with wrist pain, numbness, or tingling in your hand, you’ve probably wondered:
- Is wearing a brace the best option?
- Does a compression sleeve help?
- What’s really the best treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Let’s break it down.
Is a Brace Best for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Short answer: No. Braces are often the first thing recommended for carpal tunnel because they hold the wrist in a neutral position, taking pressure off the median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel. In some cases, this gives temporary relief, especially at night. But here’s the problem: a brace doesn’t solve the underlying issue.- If stiffness in your wrist is contributing to nerve compression, a brace can actually reinforce immobility and make things worse over time.
- Braces don’t improve posture, strength, or movement mechanics—all of which are critical to long-term recovery.
- Relying on a brace alone can mask symptoms while the root cause persists.
Does a Compression Sleeve Work for Carpal Tunnel?
Compression sleeves are often marketed as a more comfortable alternative to braces. They can sometimes provide mild symptom relief by improving circulation and reducing swelling in the wrist and hand.
But like braces, they don’t address the true problem.
- They don’t change how the wrist moves.
- They don’t take pressure off the median nerve in any meaningful way.
- They don’t strengthen or stabilize the structures that actually support the wrist.
Think of a compression sleeve as a “Band-Aid.” It may feel nice in the short term, but it won’t fix the mechanics causing your pain.
What Is the Best Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
This is where physical therapy shines. Instead of just masking symptoms, PT focuses on restoring normal movement, reducing irritation, and addressing the root causes of compression.
At our Cincinnati practice, treatment for CTS often includes:
- Postural retraining – Improving the position of your shoulder blades and thoracic spine reduces pressure downstream on your wrists.
- Wrist + hand mobility work – Gentle joint mobilizations and stretching restore freedom of movement in the wrist, which often gets stiff and contributes to symptoms.
- Strengthening exercises – We focus not only on the wrist, but also the forearm, shoulder, and scapular stabilizers. When your whole chain is strong, the wrist doesn’t get overloaded.
- Manual therapy & Softwave treatment – Hands-on care calms irritation and improves circulation around the nerve and tendons.
- Education & ergonomic coaching – Simple changes to how you type, lift, or sleep can dramatically reduce strain on the carpal tunnel.
Braces and compression sleeves might provide short-term relief, but they should never be the only treatment. The best outcomes come from addressing the root cause with movement, strength, and posture.
TL;DR
If you’ve been told to wear a brace for carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t be discouraged—but don’t stop there either. A brace may give you a break, but it won’t solve the problem. Compression sleeves are even less effective.
The best treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is a comprehensive physical therapy approach that addresses mobility, strength, and posture. At WAVE Physical Therapy + Pilates in Cincinnati, we specialize in getting to the root cause of wrist and hand pain so you can get back to doing what you love—without relying on a brace forever.
Ready to learn more? Book an evaluation with one of our physical therapists and find out if your wrist pain is really carpal tunnel—or something else that we can fix together.