Physical Therapists Say This $13 Wrist Brace for Carpal Tunnel Relieves Pain and Numbness

You don't realize how much you rely on your wrists until pain, whether caused by arthritis, carpal tunnel, or overuse, gets in the way of your daily life, limiting your mobility or keeping you up at night. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, repetitive motions, such as work- and sports-related activities, may put you at increased risk of wrist injuries and disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome. A wrist brace can help, Karena Wu, DPT, CSCS, told Health. And right now, the Dr. Arthritis copper-lined wrist brace, which has more than 16,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, is on sale for just $13.

If your job requires you to put a lot of pressure on your wrist, such as tasks that involve a lot of typing, texting, painting, or knitting—your wrists may pay the price for your productivity. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an uncomfortable but common condition. The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that 3% to 6% of adults will experience it at some point.

While you may not be able to change your job or hobbies, you can support your wrist in other ways, such as wearing a wrist brace at night or during activities. "A wrist brace does not allow the user to bend or extend the wrist joint, which allows the nerve to calm down since the compression or stretch on the nerves and tendons is minimized," said Dr. Wu. "When the nerve keeps getting touched (in either direction), it constantly aggravates the already irritated tissue," she added. Essentially, a wrist brace gives your nerves a break.

To buy: Dr. Arthritis Copper-Lined Wrist Brace, $13 (was $16); amazon.com

One of the wrist braces we love—and 16,000 Amazon shoppers agree—is the Dr. Arthritis copper-lined wrist brace. Made from a comfortable neoprene material that is lightweight and durable, this wrist brace "provides just the right amount of support and padding without sacrificing weight and quality of materials," said Tim Schuckers, DPT, OCS. It alleviates symptoms like pain, numbness, and tingling by relieving compression of the nerve found in the carpal tunnel of the hand, he added.

The adjustable wrist strap creates a firm but comfortable support. Other wrist straps can be bulky, uncomfortable, and limit your range of motion, but this one feels more like a compressive glove that hugs your wrist but doesn't limit it. Unlike similar models, it can be worn on the left or right wrist. It's also the first of its kind to be lined with copper, which may help reduce inflammation, although there are limited studies on the clinical effects of copper-infused clothing, according to Wu.

As a writer, I type on a keyboard all day long. Or I use my phone to draft emails and Slack messages. Both these tasks are common culprits of wrist pain. Though I'm only in my mid-20s, I've already experienced uncomfortable and inconvenient wrist pain, numbness, and tingling. After purchasing (and disliking) another wrist brace—one that kept the wrist in a neutral position with a long piece of metal—I decided to give the Dr. Arthritis copper-lined wrist brace a try. The bulkiness and firmness of the other brace were unbearable, so I was shocked to find how comfortable and lightweight this brace is. I can wear it while typing and texting, and it doesn't interfere with my work, unlike the other model I tried. I've also noticed a huge improvement in my hand health—my wrists don't ache at the end of the day, and I don't have to wear the brace as often as I used to.

Thousands of Amazon reviewers also rave about the comfort, quality, flexibility, and, most importantly, the effectiveness of the Dr. Arthritis copper-lined wrist brace. A reviewer with carpal tunnel and arthritis in both hands and wrists said this "saved [their] hands" and they couldn't believe how well it worked. In fact, it's the only product that's worked for them, despite routinely spending on "bulky, metal-reinforced braces." A cyclist also found significant improvement and "greatly benefitted" from this brace and was able to avoid needing surgery for their carpal tunnel, which they partly attributed to using this brace. They also noted they were able to wear the brace while cycling and the brace didn't interfere with their activity, which was "a plus."

While braces and sleeves are notorious for getting in the way of your work and hobbies, one crocheter praised the brace for allowing them to hold a crochet hook and to use a mouse while wearing. After not wearing the brace for one day, "the symptoms came back for the first time in a month," they said. One writer experiencing wrist spasms and intense wrist pain at night was desperate for relief and quickly found it with this wrist brace. After wearing the brace, the pain "started to dissipate." They found it easy to wear, adjust, and wash. A pregnant musician also found "instant relief" from her arthritis pain after putting on this brace, allowing her to "sleep at night."

The Dr. Arthritis copper-lined wrist brace is currently 20% off at Amazon, bringing the price tag down to just $13. If wrist pain is keeping you from your favorite activities or interfering with your work, this may be just what you need to find relief.