Dear Dr. K: I have carpal tunnel syndrome. My doctor wants me to consider surgery, but I’d like to learn about other treatment options first.

Dear Reader: In carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve that leads from your neck down your arm to your hand becomes trapped, or pinched, in your wrist. The nerve passes through a little tunnel – the carpal tunnel – in the wrist.

The tunnel is made of very tough tissue. Usually it is wide enough to allow the nerve easily to pass through it. But sometimes the tunnel grows narrow, and the nerve is pinched. The classic symptoms are pain, weakness and tingling in the fingers. Often, these symptoms occur at night and awaken you from sleep.

As the condition progresses, you might start to feel tingling during the day, and the pain might radiate up your arm. It might become difficult to make a tight fist or grasp small objects.

There are several nonsurgical treatments you can try to relieve your symptoms. Most people improve with one or more of them:

• Self-help – Rest the affected hand for at least two weeks, avoiding any activities that worsen your symptoms. In particular, avoid prolonged periods of gripping and pinching.
• Splint – This keeps your wrist straight. If it is impractical for you to wear one during the day, wear one at night. You can find splints at most pharmacies.
• Hand exercises – Consult a hand therapist for specific recommendations.
• Corticosteroid injections – These relieve symptoms in some people. They can reduce swelling and inflammation inside the carpal tunnel that might press on and irritate the nerve.
• Yoga – This can reduce pain and improve grip strength. If you try this option, find a well-qualified instructor who understands anatomy and can help you adjust the poses as needed.
• Acupuncture – This might be helpful in addition to or instead of other therapies. Acupuncture can be costly, but it might be worth a try if you want to avoid surgery.

Despite what you might have heard, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are not effective for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a physician and a professor at Harvard Medical School. To ask a question or for more information, go to askdoctork.com.