We often take our hands and wrists for granted. They perform actions that are as simple and normal as inhaling and exhaling, eating, and sleeping, but things can go amiss just like anything else in our body. When it comes to our hands and wrists, troubles could consist of numbness, tingling, and weakness within the fingers of either hand. When you factor all these indicators together, there is a high chance that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) might be to blame.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is often painful and is caused by a compression of a major nerve (the median nerve), which passes over the carpal bones through a passage at the front of the wrist. It mainly affects the arm, wrist, hand, and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common soft tissue repetitive strain injury, and studies have shown that it is the leading cause of time lost at work and chronic sleep loss.

What Can Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of different factors that cause an increase in stress on the median nerve and tendons, rather than being an issue with the actual nerve. Some contributing factors of sprains or fractures include swelling from trauma or injury, an overactive pituitary gland, an underactive thyroid gland, or rheumatoid arthritis. Other factors that may cause compression include mechanical problems in the wrist joint, regular use of vibrating hand tools, or fluid retention during pregnancy.

How Can Chiropractors Help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The conventional medical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome are pain medication, wrist splints, or surgery for some patients. Unfortunately, these approaches aren't always successful and have shown to be more harmful than beneficial.

The chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is different. It is the chiropractor's job to find the underlying cause of the condition, so our focus is to work directly with the source of the inflammation and tension on the median nerve. Specific adjustments to the cervical and upper thoracic spine are performed and effectively alleviate many carpal tunnel symptoms.

Chiropractors are also well trained at realigning the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints to make sure to remove any potential entrapment of the median nerve. Chiropractic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome may also include stretches and exercises, which can help restore proper function and movement of the wrist.

Chiropractic care has proven to be extremely useful in addressing and eliminating the underlying cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, providing patients with carpal tunnel syndrome long term relief without the use of medications and surgery! Call Neck, Back, Arm, Leg and Headache Pain Relief Clinic of Marin at (415) 223-9060 to schedule a consultation with our doctor to discuss how chiropractic treatment can help you with your carpal tunnel syndrome.