The best wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome of 2025, according to hand specialists and health experts
Update, June 25, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best wrist brace for carpal tunnel remains unchanged.
Three stages categorize the symptoms and level of severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Stage 1: Frequently waking in the night with a sensation of a swollen, numb hand or severe pain that radiates from the wrist to the shoulder. There is also tingling in the hand and fingers. After waking, hand stiffness usually persists.
Stage 2: The symptoms are present during the day, especially if you stay in the same position for prolonged periods or perform repeated movements or tasks with the hand and wrist. This is the stage where you may have lost so much feeling in your hands and fingers that you frequently drop things.
Stage 3: This is the final stage where atrophy can set in and the median nerve may respond poorly even to more advanced treatments like surgical decompression. In this phase, sensory symptoms decline.
Comfortable fit: Carpal tunnel braces keep your wrist in a neutral position. Immobilization is important because wrist flexion puts pressure on the median nerve; bracing prevents this pressure. However, in order for the brace to work, it needs to fit correctly. It should be snug enough to provide adequate support, but not so tight that it restricts circulation or causes skin irritation.
Material: A big part of comfort has to do with quality materials. Neoprene is one of the best material choices since it offers compression, warmth, elasticity and breathability. Mesh fabric can also add to a brace's overall breathability. Softer materials, like memory foam, can provide padding for additional comfort. Some braces use copper-infused fabrics, which can help deodorize the brace. Most of these wrist braces are not machine-washable, but you can hand-wash some of them.
Structure and design: Most braces have a rigid insert on either the dorsal side (i.e., the back of the wrist), the palmar side, or both. Small studies indicate a dorsal support brace may be best for carpal tunnel since it prevents flexion without adding more pressure to the median nerve. Palmar support can be beneficial, too; just make sure that the rigid stays don't press in on the median nerve or that they're removable.
Length is also important. "A wrist brace that is too short may apply more pressure to the median nerve," says Cummings. Look for a wrist brace that doesn't stop directly at the wrist and instead extends about halfway up the forearm.
Cost: Finally, cost is something to consider. The best wrist brace for you is one that is comfortable and effective, but more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better.
To determine the best carpal tunnel braces, our team looked at over 20 different wrist braces and evaluated each based on their efficacy. The truth is, there are many wrist braces on the market, but not all of them work well to alleviate the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. We considered factors like the overall structure and design of the brace, the amount of stability it provides and how comfortable it is to wear. Finally, we consulted two orthopedic experts, including a hand pain specialist and an orthopedic surgeon to get their input on which braces are the best options for CTS.
Dr. John Thomas, a board-certified hand surgeon, says that wrist braces can be extremely beneficial for mild to moderate carpal tunnel, especially when used overnight. "Most people like to curl up and fully flex their wrists at night," he says. "This places pressure upon the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and increases symptoms."
In addition to bracing, treatments for CTS include oral anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and, in severe cases, surgery to decompress the carpal tunnel and increase space for the median nerve.
You shouldn't consider wrist braces as a permanent fixture in your life. Instead, Thomas says, they're best worn for a few weeks. If symptoms don't improve, it's a sign you might need to try a more intensive form of treatment. Dr. Melissa Boyette, an orthopedic surgeon, says, "I would caution against wearing a brace longer than a few weeks if a physician has not evaluated you." She warns that prolonged bracing can lead to stiffness and weakness in the forearms and wrists.
Hwang recommends taking frequent hand/wrist stretching breaks, especially for those with repetitive hand motions at work. He also says, "Prevention through ergonomic workstations, exercises, and avoiding excessive wrist bending is important for those at risk." You can also try oral anti-inflammatory medication or a pain-relieving cream for immediate relief.
Dr. Melissa Boyette, orthopedic surgeon; hand and wrist specialist, Bradenton, Fla.
Brenda Cummings, OTD, OTR, CHT, certified hand therapist, Fort Collins, Colo.
Dr. Raymond Hwang, orthopedic surgeon and medical director at Hinge Health
Dr. John Thomas, orthopedic hand surgeon, New York City
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
This Overlooked Training Method Builds Real-World Strength
If your workouts aren't making you stronger in real life, what's the point? Sure, bench press and biceps curls can make your arms look great, but can they help you hoist a toddler onto your shoulders, haul luggage through a crowded airport, or wrangle an oversized couch through the front door without throwing out your back? For that kind of strength, you need offset training. This unbalanced, asymmetrical style of lifting forces your body to stabilize under pressure, lighting up muscles you didn't even know you had (especially in your core, hips, and shoulders). It challenges your balance, corrects muscle imbalances, and builds power that translates to real life. Here's everything you need to know about offset training, including why it works, how it stacks up against traditional lifting, and how to start incorporating it don't need to be an athlete to incorporate offset training. This way of training helps build functional strength, which is ideal for any man who wants to move better, reduce injury risk, and feel stronger in daily life. Offset training uses uneven loads. For example, you might hold a single dumbbell or load one side of a barbell, to push your body in ways it likely hasn't been challenged before. The imbalance forces your body to stabilize, activating smaller support muscles and making your core work harder to stay aligned during each rep. 'Offset training is effective in that the offset load puts you in an imbalanced position,' explains Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, an Olympian and certified USA weightlifting coach at BarBend. 'Not only are you pushing through the exercise, but you're also having to maintain your balance through the entire range of motion, engaging your abdominal muscles, core, and rotational strength.'In traditional bilateral lifts like barbell back squats and deadlifts, you move symmetrically through a single plane. While that approach is excellent for building raw strength, it doesn't necessarily translate to the chaos of real life, where you're rarely lifting in perfect balance. 'Offset loading stimulates your muscle groups differently, forcing your core, hips, and shoulders to work to maintain balance throughout the exercise,' Wilkes says. 'It can help build rotational control, core strength, and balance—not just raw strength.' Amanda Dvorak, a certified personal trainer, says, 'Unlike balanced lifts, where your stronger side can compensate for your non-dominant side, offset training forces the weaker side to work harder.' Offset training helps you move more efficiently and handle unexpected loads that happen during real-life situations, such as carrying groceries in one arm while unlocking the front door with the other, or holding your kid on one hip while squatting down to grab their backpack. 'People who are active outside the gym, like fathers, manual laborers, or athletes, will get a ton of benefit from incorporating offset training into their routine,' Wilkes says. Dvorak adds, 'Offset training is great for guys who sit a lot and want to improve posture and core control. It also helps lifters who've been training for a while and need something new to challenge their bodies.'Here are some expert-approved offset training exercises to add to your routine: Hold a heavy kettlebell, dumbbell, or plate in one hand, arms down by sides, palms facing in. Engage your core, maintain a straight spine, and keep shoulders square as you walk 25 yards down and back. Switch sides and continue alternating on every rep. Complete 4 x 50 yards each side with 30–60 seconds rest between sets. 'I like suitcase carries and deadlifts,' says Wilkes. 'These exercises strengthen the muscle groups, but also will engage your core to stay steady and stable throughout each movement.' Stand, feet hip-width apart, a 20- to 40-pound kettlebell in left hand. Press kettlebell so left hand is stacked over left shoulder, extending right arm to the side for balance, to start. Step left foot back and do a reverse lunge so right knee forms a 90-degree angle. Reverse to standing for 1 rep. Complete all reps with weight in left hand, then switch sides. Holding a kettlebell or dumbbell on one side torches your core while training your lower body. Lie back on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level. Press both weights over your chest and then lower one down to shoulder level. Press it back up, lower the other arm, and press. 'Single-arm dumbbell shoulder presses are great,' Wilkes adds. 'It's a simple way to challenge the shoulders while also engaging your core.' Start in a high plank, right hand on a yoga block close to body, left hand on floor adjacent to face. Do a set of pushups. For the following set, put yoga block on left side. Continue switching sides each set. 'Offset push-ups—where one hand is on a dumbbell or yoga block and the other on the floor—are simple, but they fire up your core and force you to stay tight and focused,' Dvorak explains. Stand with feet hip-width apart with a light kettlebell between your feet, to start. Clean the kettlebell with your right hand to shoulder height. Press the kettlebell overhead, then extend your other arm forward for counterbalance. Lower into a squat, keeping your bicep by your ear so the weight is directly overhead throughout. Drive through your heels to stand. That's 1 rep. With one kettlebell overhead, you'll feel your core and glutes work overtime to stabilize. Like any other type of strength training, going too heavy too soon is the biggest rookie mistake most guys make when starting offset training. 'The most common mistake I see is that people start off too heavy, too fast,' Wilkes says. 'That can get them out of proper position, making the exercise less efficient and increasing the risk of injury. Offset training is less about big numbers and more about control, form, and time under tension.'The best way to get started is to keep it simple and not overthink it. If it feels awkward at first, that's the point. The imbalance is what builds stability and strength that transfers into everything you do. 'Start by adding one offset move to the end of your normal workout. Keep the reps low and the weight manageable. Focus on control and how your body feels,' Dvorak advises. Offset training won't replace your big lifts, but it just might be the secret ingredient your training has been missing. It's simple, scalable, and incredibly effective at building real-world strength from the ground up. So next time you hit the gym, skip the symmetry. Go uneven, unbalanced, and a little uncomfortable. Your core will burn, your muscles will adapt, and you'll leave feeling stronger and more capable than ever. This Overlooked Training Method Builds Real-World Strength first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 2, 2025
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Scary Survey Results: Teen Drivers Are Often Looking at Their Phones
A new study reveals that teen drivers in the US are spending more than one-fifth of their driving time distracted by their phones, with many glances lasting long enough to significantly raise the risk of a crash. Published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention and released on Thursday, the research found that, on average, teens reported looking at their phones during 21.1% of every driving trip. More than a quarter of those distractions lasted two seconds or longer, which is an amount of time widely recognized as dangerous at highway speeds. Most distractions tied to entertainment, not emergencies The top reason teens said they reached for their phones behind the wheel was for entertainment, cited by 65% of respondents. Texting (40%) and navigation (30%) were also common. Researchers emphasized that these distractions weren't typically urgent, but rather habitual or social. Teens know the risks The study includes survey responses from 1,126 teen drivers across all four US regions, along with in-depth interviews with a smaller group of high schoolers. Most participants recognized that distracted driving is unsafe and believed their parents and peers disapproved of the behavior. But many teens also assumed that their friends were doing it anyway, pointing to a disconnect between personal values and perceived social norms. Teens think they can resist distractions Interestingly, most teens expressed confidence in their ability to resist distractions. That belief, researchers suggest, could make it harder to change behavior unless future safety campaigns specifically target these attitudes. The study's lead author, Dr. Rebecca Robbins of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, said interventions should aim to shift social norms while also emphasizing practical steps, such as enabling "Do Not Disturb" mode and physically separating drivers from their devices. "Distracted driving is a serious public health threat and particularly concerning among young drivers," Robbins said. "Driving distracted doesn't just put the driver at risk of injury or death, it puts everyone else on the road in danger of an accident." What this means for parents and educators The researchers say their findings can help guide educators and parents in developing more persuasive messaging about the dangers of distracted driving. One of the recommendations is that adults need to counter teens' beliefs that phone use while driving is productive or harmless. While the study's qualitative component was limited by a small and non-urban sample, the authors believe the 38-question survey they developed can be used more broadly to assess beliefs, behaviors and the effectiveness of future safety efforts.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Massachusetts advocates fear Trump's bill will unravel health safety net in Obamacare's model state
BOSTON (AP) — In the state that served as the model for Obamacare, advocates and health care workers fear the Trump administration is trying to dismantle piece-by-piece a popular program that has provided insurance, preventive care and life-saving medication to hundreds of thousands of people. Provisions contained in both the Senate and House versions of the massive tax and spending cuts bill advancing in Congress — a centerpiece of President Donald Trump's agenda — could strip health insurance from up to a quarter of the roughly 400,000 people enrolled in the Massachusetts Health Connector, according to state estimates. The changes would create anew the coverage gaps state leaders were working to close when Massachusetts in 2006 became the first U.S. state to enact a law requiring nearly every resident to have health insurance, state officials say. Beyond the effect on residents' health, losing care could have broader repercussions — both for the program's finances and residents' ability to make a living. 'The idea of needing to unwind that now and pull back on that promise and commitment is really frustrating and heartbreaking and cruel and counterproductive,' said Audrey Morse Gasteier, executive director of Massachusetts' health insurance marketplace. Trump and Republican supporters in Congress say the changes, which include new documentation requirements and limitations on who can apply for tax credits to help pay for insurance, are necessary to root out what they call fraud, waste and abuse. The Affordable Care Act changes proposed in both versions of the bill, along with massive cuts to Medicaid and other programs, would eliminate roughly $1.1 trillion in health care spending over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. In Lawrence, a mill community of around 90,000 people on the Merrimack River, where more than 80% of the population is Hispanic or Latino, Kesia Moreta said she's already seeing people slip out of the state's health care network because of the Trump administration's aggressive effort to crack down on illegal immigration. Moreta, who manages a program created under the ACA that helps people sign up for coverage, said clients have been missing meetings out of fear that being enrolled for health insurance will harm their effort to stay in the U.S. legally. Recently, a father of a U.S.-born teenage son with epilepsy deleted every email related to his health plan and stopped answering calls from the Connector after watching reports about deportations on social media. When his son's medication ran out, Moreta said the father finally reached out, whispering over the phone, 'Is this going to get me deported?' 'That breaks our hearts,' Moreta said. Proposed changes More than 98% of Massachusetts residents have health insurance, the lowest rate of uninsurance in the country, according to the Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey. Vicky Pulos, an attorney for the Mass Law Reform Institute who helps low-income people gain access to health care, said Republicans who tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act during the first Trump administration have decided to take it apart incrementally despite its growing popularity. 'It really seems like this is just a less transparent way of effectively dismantling the accomplishments of the Affordable Care Act in both Medicaid and the marketplace,' Pulos said. The changes, she added, 'will massively drive up the number of uninsured but without openly repealing the ACA.' Another provision included in both the House and Senate bills would require people applying for or renewing coverage to provide more documentation of their income, household size and immigration status to be eligible for premium tax credits when the state marketplace already has that information, which Morse Gasteier said would cause 'friction, red tape and delays.' The Trump administration has said the proposals will 'put a stop' to immigrants 'stealing taxpayer-funded health care benefits meant for American citizens.' No states use federal money to provide health insurance to people who are in the U.S. illegally. Some, like Massachusetts, use state tax dollars to do so to provide basic primary care services for a small population of vulnerable residents, like children. No undocumented immigrants receive insurance through the state marketplace. Of the 400,000 enrolled in the state marketplace, around 60,000 are noncitizens who are in the U.S. legally and would lose access to federal premium tax credits if either chamber's version of the bill becomes law. The number includes domestic violence and human trafficking victims, refugees, people granted asylum or humanitarian parole, temporary protected status and other work-authorized immigrants. Without the credits, premiums will cost upwards of $500 or $600 — an increase many people can't afford, Morse Gasteier said. Around half are green-card holders with an annual income of $15,000 a year or less. The remaining 40,000 people expected to lose coverage are U.S. citizens Morse Gasteier said could be stymied in applying or recertifying coverage by provisions like the increased documentation requirements. Fears of trust l ost Morse Gasteier said Massachusetts' marketplace worked 'tirelessly' to enroll vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations after the state program — formed under the leadership of then-Gov. Mitt Romney and known as 'Romneycare' — was created. She worries that if people hear help is no longer available, 'entire populations will just sort of give up on health insurance.' In addition to affecting residents' health, that could have an economic impact in the state. Immigrants with legal status enrolled in the state marketplace tend to be younger than the rest of the population, Morse Gasteier said. Their presence brings premiums down for others because they tend to be healthier. In Lawrence, advocates who help people obtain insurance coverage though the ACA marketplace say the burden would fall disproportionately on people with chronic health issues like diabetes and chronic heart disease. The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council assists around 10,000 people a year with either signing up for or renewing health insurance. 'If you're not healthy, let me tell you, you can't work. If you can't work, you can't pay your bills. It's just as simple as that,' said GLCAC CEO Vilma Martinez-Dominguez. Moreta said one man who called her from the emergency room recently said he discovered his health insurance had lapsed. Moreta said she could help him renew it, and urged him to wait at the hospital. He told her not to do anything. He was leaving the hospital. She has no idea what became of him.
