What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Its Causes?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. When the median nerve (the median nerve runs from the forearm through a passageway in the wrist to the hand, known as the carpal tunnel) in the wrist is compressed you can experience numbness, burning, tingling and weakness in the hands or wrists, thumb and fingers and this is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur due to a number of factors, including:

• Repetitive motion – inflammation and swelling in the wrist can occur when you are typing, writing or driving.
• Medical conditions – including arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders and kidney failure.
• Trauma – Injuries to the hand or wrist, such as fractures or dislocations.
• Hormonal changes – pregnancy and menopause can cause retention of fluid that could increase pressure on the carpal tunnel.
• Obesity – being overweight can increase pressure on the carpal tunnel.
• Family history – you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome if a parent or sibling has it.

While scientists do not know why women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, they suggest that it may be due to the smaller size of the carpal tunnel in women when compared to their male counterparts.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

While your doctor may suggest surgery as a possibility, it is essential to recognize that there are many possible misdiagnoses and complications associated with this procedure. The high number of ineffective operations suggests that there may have been a misdiagnosis in the first place.
Additionally, surgeries require significant preparation, cost, and recovery time. So, before you schedule an invasive procedure, it would be wise to meet with your chiropractor, at Health & Rehab Chiropractic, who does non-invasive and medicine free treatment, and get their opinion first.

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome can be notoriously difficult. Any issues with the median nerve anywhere in the body can cause similar problems, making it difficult for an initial diagnosis. Some of the other possibilities that your chiropractor will try to rule out are arthritis, subluxations, or herniated discs in the spinal column that may interfere with the medial nerve before it reaches the carpal tunnel.

If you opt to not get carpal tunnel syndrome treated, it may lead to long-term or permanent damage to the median nerve which can cause permanent numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand. If you are concerned with any of these issues, schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor today. They can quickly help you identify some of the potential issues and get you started on the path to recovery.

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Chiropractic Care

Many people overlook the potential option of chiropractic care before they schedule their surgeries. This may be because many people think that chiropractors only deal with issues as they relate to the back and neck.

However, chiropractors are trained to deal with issues concerning the nerves that travel throughout the body. They have specific knowledge about non-invasive techniques that reduce or eliminate the problems that may be associated with nerve damage or restriction.

In the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, your chiropractor will review the entire course that your medial nerve travels throughout the body to ensure they can identify where the issue is occurring.

The median nerve originates in the cervical spine and your chiropractor will follow the path of the nerve to the hand and then use techniques to help alleviate your pain.

One of these techniques involves the gentle manipulation of the cervical spine, elbow, and wrist to try to reduce pressure on the nerve. Your chiropractor may also use other non-invasive techniques such as electrical stimulation, shockwave therapy or heat therapies to alleviate your pain.