Why are the traditional approaches failing?

Unlike the CTExerciser, traditional approaches for treating Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction do not consider the whole body. Instead of treating the cause, most methods just treat the symptoms of Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction. While only temporary relief is achieved in treating the symptoms, people are satisfied by a quick fix, until the treatment subsides and they find themselves in a worse condition that often creates greater long-term problems. While a change in your routine is sometimes difficult, incorporating the CTExerciser into your daily routine is a proven method of treating Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction, which relieves the cause, not just the symptoms.

TREATMENT	DRAWBACKS
Surgery	Even after healing, one may never regain full use of the hand Surgery and recovery demands lost work-time and possible loss of job Surgery and rehabilitation are costly The use of the hand and wrist are restricted throughout the healing process Once the ligament heals, scar tissue may form only to again compress the median nerve, causing Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction There is an 80% chance of having more surgery for the same problem Statistics show that after one surgery, patients are expected to have another in 2-5 years if they return to the same job Each time you undergo this type of surgery, you lose 15% or more of the functional use of your hand – this is not loss of strength, but a loss of 15% of the functional use of your hand
Ergonomic Redesign of Workstation	Must be tailored to each individual employee to be effective Expensive, time consuming Requires a trained and experienced professional Based on questionable science Continues to keep the person in a sustained, static posture
Splint	Most splints have a metal bar that puts pressure into the palmar reflex of the hand, which instigates a “tug-of-war” between the palmar reflex and mechanical extension of the hand Restrict the movement of the hand, thereby impairing one’s ability to carry-out daily activities Lack of motion is counterproductive Lack of movement causes muscle atrophy Restricting the movement of the hand and wrist by wearing a splint may cause the user to overcompensate and injure other muscles Splints are bulky and unsightly Splinting does not resolve the disorder and may only temporarily reduce pain
Iontophoresis	According to Kaplan, et al, 1990. J Hand Surgery, the combination of splinting and Iontophoresis has a failure rate of 42.1% in total alleviation from symptoms
Steriod Injection	Causes risk for further complications and joint instability Patient may have allergy to steroids Steroids do not treat the cause of Cumulative Trauma Disorders, but merely reduce the pain for a short period of time Disorder remains unresolved According to Kaplan, et al, 1990. J Hand Surgery, the failure rate of steroid injection is 72.6% after a 1-year follow up
Anti-Inflammatories	According to Kaplan, et al, 1990. J Hand Surgery, the combination of splinting and anti-inflammatories has a failure rate of 81.6% (including ""partial success"") in total alleviation of syptoms
Vitamin B-6	Too much can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs, because high levels of B-6 can be toxic, causing neuropathy B-6 can actually cause symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome B-6 is not water soluble and is not flushed-out by the kidneys
Rehabilitation and Exercise Devices
Gripping/Flexion devices	These activities may cause additional stress to the flexor muscles, or an imbalance between flexors and extensors Though these devices may offer short term relief due to increased circulation, long term use often leads to more pain and discomfort due to increased damage to structures within the carpal canal Exacerbates existing damage from overuse of the flexor muscle
Free Weights	Imbalance of the flexor/extensor muscle groups perpetuates strength and imbalance so painful symptoms will recur Contraction of the flexor muscles can actually increase the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
Resistive Exercise Bands	These bands provide only partial range of motion; as they do not allow the fingers to move throughout the full range of motion in either extension, internal and external rotation, forearm supination/pronation or adduction/abduction of the wrist and upper extremity
Flextend	Though studies show a 79.4% recovery from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Flextend, treatment included sine and ultrasound waves in addition to Flextend exercises. So there is no real evidence that Flextend is responsible for the recovery. "
CTCream	Only a temporary reduction of swelling at the site of the symptoms Does not treat the cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome