How Therapulse works
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and fingers, particularly the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Symptoms can occur intermittently at first—often at night or when using the hand for repetitive tasks—but may become more persistent and severe over time.
One of the approaches used to help relieve CTS symptoms is counter-stimulation with vibration. The TheraPulse device generates high-frequency waves that pass through the skin to the affected area of the wrist and hand. These vibrations stimulate large sensory nerve fibres, which can interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain. By “scrambling” or disrupting these sensory impulses, the brain receives fewer pain signals, which can help reduce discomfort and improve hand function.
TheraPulse comes pre-set with 10 vibration modes and full instructions of how to use the various settings.
This is a treatment modality approved by NICE, the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence.
Research & Studies
Several studies have investigated the use of this sort of therapy to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions in various parts of the body. They show that vibration be used as a cost-effective and safe procedure to improve the symptoms of CTS in patients. Recently vibrating pads have been approved in the US by the FDA for treating CTS but they continue to be an expensive option.
- The effect of vibration on the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in hemodialysis patients
- Decreased Symptoms without Augmented Skin Blood Flow in Subjects with CTS/WED after Vibration Treatment.
- Sleep improvement for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Part 1: pooled analysis of two prospective, double-blind, sham-controlled, multi-center, randomized clinical studies of the effects of vibrating pads on CTS symptoms
- Improving sleep for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Part II: meta-analysis of vibration therapy and drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- The effects of vibration and massage on severity of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients; a randomized cross-over clinical trial.
- Medical devices for carpal tunnel syndrome – clinical utility of the Relaxis pad
- Sensory Stimuli and the Carpal Tunnels Syndrome.
- Vibratory stimulation for the alleviation of chronic pain, Acta Physiol Scand Suppl. 1983;523:1-51.