Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common neurological condition that develops when the median nerve, which connects the forearm to your palm, becomes squeezed or pressed at the wrist, resulting in pain, weakness and numbness in your forearm and hand.
In general cases, the median nerve becomes pinched or compressed due to several reasons, such as injuries, repetitive use, poor posture while using mobile devices, or an underlying medical condition such as fluid retention, thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes.
In most situations, carpal tunnel syndrome may worsen over time. If left untended for prolonged periods, the condition may result in permanent hand dysfunction as well as weakness and loss of sensation in the fingers. Hence, it is imperative that you do not treat it lightly and get it treated immediately.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
The primary symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are pain in the affected palm and wrist as well as a tingling or numbing sensation in the affected hand or arm. However, there are other symptoms that you might not be aware of that are associated with the condition, such as:
- Weakness of the muscles, especially at the thumbs, index, and middle fingers
- Clumsiness when gripping objects
- Complexity in performing daily activities, such as buttoning a shirt or brushing teeth
- Burning sensation in the affected arm or hand
- A tingling sensation that radiates to the affected fingers
- Reduced range of motion and mobility in the wrist joint, hands, and fingers
Some patients even experience nocturnal symptoms, such as numbness, tenderness, aching, and throbbing, that become more intense during the night.
Relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and neck pain
While most carpal tunnel syndromes are commonly associated with wrist and hand pain, it can also be an effect of suffering from neck pain. This is because the compressed media nerve at the wrist can happen when there is a compression at the peripheral nerve root at the spinal exit near the neck. Hence, individuals with neck pain sometimes will develop carpal tunnel. This is known as referred pain.
How chiropractic care helps with carpal tunnel syndrome
Chiropractic care involves the use of spinal manipulations and adjustments to target the affected area along with other techniques, such as stretching and soft tissue manipulation. In regard to carpal tunnel syndrome, chiropractic care helps to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Through spinal manipulation and any other employed techniques, chiropractic care helps to enhance the blood flow in the affected region, which helps to reduce swelling within the carpal tunnel. As mentioned earlier, the condition can also be caused by a pinched nerve in other areas, such as the neck or shoulders.
Hence, through the manipulation of the neck or shoulder area where the nerve root passes through, the chiropractor can help to relieve any associated pain and pressure felt at the wrist and hand.
Benefits of chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome
Chiropractic care offers effective solutions for carpal tunnel syndrome, improving carpal tunnel function and relieving pain without the need for medication or invasive surgery. This means experiencing reduced numbness in the hands and wrists while improving grip strength in the fingers.
And because carpal tunnel syndrome can be a referred pain, this non-invasive treatment solution is also able to restore the balance in the root issue, offering a complete restorative solution.
Chiropractic care is not the be-all and end-all for managing carpal tunnel syndrome. You also need to make specific lifestyle adjustments to maintain a healthy carpal tunnel, such as taking frequent breaks when using the computer or reducing activities that involve prolonged use of fingers and wrists.
Nevertheless, here at Healing Hands Chiropractic, we offer extensive chiropractic care for all sorts of musculoskeletal disorders. Whether you are in need of a lower back pain treatment or a carpal tunnel treatment, our team of chiropractors is experienced in helping you manage your pain and aches. Visit us to find out more!