Staff Writer
Just as nerves can be irritated in your back by the soft tissue and joints in your spine, the bones in your wrist may also compress nearby nerves, giving rise to the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While many people seek treatment through surgical means, doctors of chiropractic have had success for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome through non-invasive treatments, such as adjusting the bones in the wrist, soft tissue therapies, cold or cryo therapy, and other passive therapies.
Let’s Talk About the Carpal Tunnel
Your carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located in the wrist. This “tunnel” allows the median nerve, which is a branch from nervesexiting the spinal cord to the hand, to pass through.
Any carpal tunnel swelling can cause compression on the median nerve, resulting in a painful carpal tunnel syndrome and potentially cutting off or limiting feeling and movement to portions of the hand.
Carpal tunnel conditions may result in numbness, weakness, tingling, or pain in the hands or fingers, which may also travel up to the elbow.
The symptoms may start only at night when you first develop the condition. As the condition progresses, symptoms can occur all through the day and may interfere with your sleep and daily life.
Such symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. When a carpal tunnel issue initially develops, you might be able to shake your hand to alleviate the symptoms. However, as it worsens, the symptoms will become constant.
As you discuss your carpal tunnel symptoms with your doctor of chiropractic, he or she will talk about the various issues that cause pressure on the median nerve, such as swelling or conditions that reduce the size of the carpal tunnel. It’s also possible for the lining to thicken as a response from repetitive irritation and cause inflammation to the tendons around the carpal tunnel.
Diseases and conditions that can lead to carpal tunnel include
If your occupation or hobby involves a lot of typing on a computer keyboard, or repetitive hand and wrist movements that place repeated stress on the median nerve, you might be at risk for developing a carpal tunnel condition.
This is especially true when you repeatedly bend your wrist downward or when the equipment or tools you use vibrates.
Chiropractors specialize in disorders within the musculoskeletal system including the spine and extremities. If your chiropractor suspects you may have carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist pain or numbness, the first part of your chiropractic visit will be gathering information about your medical history and conducting a physical examination of your arms, hands, and neck.
Chiropractors will evaluate the biomechanics of your wrist and consider your career and daily activities. In some cases, medical imaging might be recommended to look inside your wrist to determine issues such as nerve damage.
Additionally, doctors of chiropractic might use soft tissue or other passive therapies to help improve movement in the wrists. They can also advise you on ergonomic changes you can make to reduce the stress you put on your wrists. These might involve workstation adjustments, or how you sit or stand for your work.
Remember that chiropractors are neuromusculoskeletal specialists. Their knowledge and expertise can help you have increased mobility, better balance, and a greater range of motion.
Ready to know more about chiropractic care? Check out this comprehensive report: Chiropractic: A Safe and Cost-Effective Approach to Health.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide chiropractic care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.
