Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Do You Have Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Finger Pain
Tingling
Wrist Pain
Hand Weakness
Pain Shooting Up Arm
Pain in Elbow or Shoulder
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes, Symptoms, and Non-Surgical Treatment
Do you have a hard time grabbing a bottle or cup? Have you lost the strength to twist open a large jar? How about tingling, numbness or pain in your hand, wrist or fingers? If so, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury, named after the bones in the wrist that form a tunnel. Examples of repetitive stress include using a computer for long periods of time, prolonged texting, performing a job on an assembly line, and using hand tools.
Your median nerve travels from your forearm to your hand through this carpal tunnel. Tendons and blood vessels also pass through this opening. When tendons in the carpal tunnel become swollen and “pinch” your nerves, you feel pressure and painful symptoms. The bones that form the carpal tunnel can also “collapse,” which puts pressure on the nerve, causes inflammation, and other aggravating symptoms.
The median nerve is the major nerve controlling your thumb, index, and parts of the middle and ring finger. From the tip of your fingers, it travels through the bones in your wrist, past your elbow, up your arm, through your shoulder and neck, and finally to your spinal cord. Problems can develop in one or more of these areas.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts slowly with numbness or tingling to your thumb, index and middle fingers, but not your little finger, that comes and goes. This sensation often happens at times like when waking up from sleep, holding a phone, or typing on a keyboard. You may also feel discomfort in your wrist, hand, and up your arm. Many people try to shake their hands to relieve the symptoms. As the disorder progresses, numbness may become constant.
Weakness is another symptom many people get with carpal tunnel syndrome. When your nerve is pinched, your hand or thumb may become weak and you will find yourself easily dropping things.
It is important to recognize that not all wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. It is very common to experience the same symptoms when there is a misalignment in your neck, where nerves that control our arms and hands originate. When these nerves are “pinched,” wrist and hand pain is common.
Dr. Winchell is highly trained at diagnosing the source of your symptoms, then correct the misalignments and reduce the swelling that is “pinching” your nerves and causing your aggravating symptoms.
Chiropractic is the #1 Choice for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Many physicians recommend surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome where the surgeon creates a larger hole in the middle of the wrist bone to allow more room for nerves, ligaments, and tendons to pass through. Many patients who have had carpal tunnel surgery have reoccurring symptoms only a few months to a few years after surgery.
Chiropractic care is among the most frequently used types of care for persons suffering from carpal tunnel, as confirmed by a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Because chiropractic treatment focuses on relieving nerve pressure, it is highly beneficial to carpal tunnel syndrome patients.
Dr. Winchell’s carpal tunnel syndrome treatment typically includes gentle adjustments to the misaligned joints in the affected wrist and elbow, as well as adjustments of the upper spine, and cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and promote rapid healing.
Visit us for a no-obligation consultation about your carpal tunnel syndrome today.