This is Part-3 of a 5-Part series of advanced stretching exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome. Performing a variety of stretches to help lengthen the flexor muscles that close the hands as well as the muscles that flex (bend) and adduct (bring together) the fingers is key to correcting the muscle imbalance in the hand, wrist and forearm that is often the root-cause for the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. I see so many stretching programs and videos promoting the stretching of the extensor muscles that open the hands and the exercising of the flexor muscles that close the hands, that I can see how and why carpal tunnel syndrome still exists in pandemic proportions. Most of the stretches and exercises shown, even by highly trained professionals, do nothing but exacerbate the symptoms.
Most everyone performs finger flexion and gripping actions all day, every day. As the flexor muscles become tighter, they cause the carpal bones to shift inward, collapsing the carpal tunnel and impinging the median nerve. Stretching these muscles, and strengthening the opposing wrist extensor muscles and finger extensor and abductor (spread fingers apart) muscles help create equal balance between these groups of muscles, therefore eliminating the nerve compression and symptoms that result. Plainly put, it is basic, simple biomechanics; balance the strength and length ratios of the involved muscles and the condition will most likely be eliminated.