Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you have tingling or numbness in your hand or fingers, and maybe feel a sensation like an electric shock or have trouble grasping objects, you could have carpal tunnel syndrome. The culprit is a pinched nerve in your wrist. Anyone can have it, but women are three times more likely than men to develop the problem.

You generally feel it most in your thumb, index, middle or ring finger. Any job in which you use your hands in a repetitive motion or that involves extreme wrist movement can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow canal in the wrist containing nine tendons and a single nerve called the median nerve. The boundaries of the tunnel are made of the small bones of the hand and a thick ligament.

If repetitive stress and injury or a health condition causes inflammation in the wrist, the tissues inside the carpal tunnel can swell, crowding the nerve. That’s what causes the pain and weakness, which can affect your wrist and palm as well as your fingers.

What can be done about it? Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly treated with surgery, but according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, more than half of the people who undergo this procedure report that symptoms in their hands are not resolved following surgery. Steroids and pain medication are another option, but they come with side effects.

Fortunately, there is an alternative for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to reduce inflammation, balance the forearm muscles, and manipulate the carpal bones to keep pressure off the tunnel. A chiropractor will confirm the diagnosis first, which is important because there are other reasons for hand pain.

If you do need treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, the chiropractor can gently manipulate your wrist and elbow to help remove anything that may be pressing on the tunnel. They may adjust your neck as well because the median nerve begins in the upper spinal column.

Chiropractors may also recommend cold laser therapy, ice packs, or a splint to immobilize the wrist for a while. They can show you stretching and strengthening exercises that you can do on the job or at home.

It’s important to take care of carpal tunnel syndrome because if left untreated, it can permanently damage your hand or thumb. If you’re noticing symptoms, call Central Illinois Spine about safe and natural ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, so you can get back to your routine.