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Conditions We Treat  /  Carpal Tunnel

Wrist & Hand

Carpal Tunnel and Hand Numbness Treatment in Bakersfield

Numbness or tingling in your thumb and first fingers, especially at night, is the classic sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. For mild to moderate symptoms, conservative care including physical therapy is a first step.

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Yes, physical therapy can help carpal tunnel syndrome, especially mild to moderate cases. The physical therapy clinical practice guideline for carpal tunnel syndrome supports a wrist splint worn at night, hands-on treatment and education about how you use your hands. Your therapist also checks your neck, because a pinched nerve there can cause similar symptoms. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one.

Does this sound like you?

✓Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index and middle fingers
✓You wake at night and shake your hands to get the feeling back
✓Driving, holding your phone or typing brings it on
✓Dropping things, or trouble with buttons and small objects
✓Aching in the wrist or forearm
✓It started or got worse during pregnancy

Why it happens

The median nerve passes through a narrow tunnel at the front of your wrist, alongside the finger tendons. When the space gets crowded, from repetitive gripping, long periods with the wrist bent, swelling during pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid conditions or arthritis, the nerve is squeezed and your fingers go numb or tingle.

Not all hand numbness is carpal tunnel. A pinched nerve in the neck, or a nerve at the elbow, can cause tingling in the hand too, so the evaluation checks the whole path of the nerve.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We test sensation, strength and specific nerve signs in your hand, wrist, elbow and neck, and go through your work and daily hand use.

2
Taking pressure off the nerve

Advice on a neutral wrist splint at night, hands-on treatment, and changes to how you grip, type, drive and sleep.

3
Keeping things moving

Nerve and tendon gliding exercises, strengthening where needed, and a simple home program. If your symptoms are severe or not improving, we’ll tell you and point you to a hand specialist.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Numbness that is constant, not just at night or with certain activities
  • Weakness or shrinking of the muscles at the base of your thumb
  • Numbness after a wrist injury or fall
  • Numbness or weakness in both hands, or spreading to other parts of the body

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Carpal tunnel FAQs

Not usually for mild to moderate symptoms. Splinting, activity changes and physical therapy help many people. Constant numbness or thumb muscle weakness usually needs a hand specialist, and surgery is sometimes the best option.
A splint that keeps your wrist straight at night is one of the most recommended first treatments. Your therapist can advise on the right type and how to use it.
It can. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause tingling in the hand, which is why we check your neck as part of the evaluation.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
It often improves after the baby is born, as swelling goes down. In the meantime, night splinting and physical therapy can ease symptoms.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Hand Pain and Sensory Deficits: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2019.
  2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
  3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026