Do you have a repetitive job that keeps you using your wrists, elbows, shoulders, or are you sitting at the computer all day? Are you feeling any Carpal Tunnel Symptoms? Carpal Tunnel is a type of entrapment neuropathy that chiropractic care can affectively treat, and if symptoms are caught early enough it can often be prevented.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compressive neuropathology that affects the median nerve, as the median nerve controls the distribution of feeling and movement on the palm-side of the hands. This nerve runs down the forearm and into the hands passing through the carpal tunnel on the palmar side of the wrist. This tunnel is formed by carpal bones, a strong band of ligaments, and connective tissue that is called the transverse carpal ligament. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive movement of the wrist, which could cause numbness and inflammation in the wrist. This inflammation puts pressure upon the median nerve and causes pain, tingling, and numbness within the median side of the hand within the thumb and first 3 fingers. Other causes could be from alcohol abuse, fractures, cysts of the wrists, infections, obesity, pregnancy, or arthritis.
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms can get complicated when looking for the cause of the problem, as it evolves from a variety of causes, not just the carpal tunnel nerve impingement. Chiropractic is related to carpal tunnel due to the wrist bones, elbow, shoulder, or upper cervical spine that could be out of place with the structure and alignment. Manipulation of the carpal bones at the wrist, elbow, the shoulder, or the upper cervical spine could be utilized to help in restoring motion and alignment of these bones. This manipulation or adjustment of the bones can relieve pressure on the area that the median nerve is passing through, as this will alleviate the stress upon the area and help the nerve and blood flow.
When looking at the common treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome, the use of chiropractic care, exercises, and other types of physical therapies has been shown to have positive results improving function of the wrists, and helping decrease the pain, tingling and numbness that have occurred in the hands regarding the median nerve entrapment.
Other options that are commonly used to help are diet and exercise routines, stretching and strengthening of the wrist muscles. Also, when looking at a person’s occupation, it would be protocol to use a wrist splint, massaging the wrists, look at the ergonomic work place settings, and eventually giving the wrists a rest.
Getting the relief you need, figuring out the cause or causes that have triggered these symptoms, and correcting the issue without any surgury is how chiropractic care can help and whats its all about. Chiropractic can help relieve this additional pressure that is put upon the body. Call us Now at (425) 590-9619 to setup your consultation to find out how we can help you live the pain free life you always wanted!
