Carpal Tunnel

Do your hand and wrist ache? Do you often feel numbness and tingling from your wrist into your palm and even into your fingers? Do you have trouble holding or grasping items with your hand? If you are answering yes, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms typically includes pain, numbness, and tingling, in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring finger. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common musculoskeletal condition, and commonly seen in people whose work involves repetitive tasks like typing, using a computer mouse, line assembly work, or cashing out, but it is not limited to a single task, job, or career. It can also be seen in individuals who have pre-existing health conditions including pregnancy, hypertension, and diabetes. Carpal tunnel syndrome is 2-5x more likely to occur in women than in men, which many believe is in part due to women having smaller wrists, and therefore smaller carpal tunnels, giving the median nerve less room to travel through. Carpal tunnel syndrome also occurs more commonly in the dominant hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with the second longest absence from work due to a disabling disease, but it does not have to be.

What can you do if you if you suspect suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome? One option is to visit a chiropractor to be assessed to determine the cause of the issue. Chiropractors are able to diagnose and treat a variety of extremity disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, your chiropractor may use different interventions to treat your carpal tunnel syndrome, including manipulation or mobilization, soft tissue therapy, low level laser therapy, acupuncture, ultrasound or others. Your chiropractor is also able to teach you exercises to improve your painful and irritating symptoms and demonstrate proper movements and ergonomic positions for your working and personal life, so as to avoid prolonging your symptoms.

If you believe you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, there are solutions to try. You do not need to continue with painful symptoms that keep you from being the best version of yourself that you can be. Talk to your chiropractor today!