Carpal Tunnel
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Your carpal tunnel is located on the palm side of your wrist. The bottom of the tunnel is made of several of your wrist bones, and the top of the tunnel is made of tendons and ligaments. The primary content of the tunnel is the median nerve. The median nerve begins in the neck and travels down the arm into the hand. When the carpal tunnel is impinged, the median nerve is irritated, leading to the symptoms of carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel may be impinged when the bones of the wrist are misaligned, when tendons are irritated, or when muscles are tight.
The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome vary. Some people have an obvious injury such as a break in the wrist. More commonly, people develop carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive movements of the wrist and hands such as typing, mechanical work, and more. In some cases, hormonal changes, such as those in pregnancy or thyroid conditions, can cause irritation of the carpal tunnel. In other cases, irritation of the median nerve begins in the spine, where the nerve originates.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually accompanied by sensations of burning, pain, tingling, or swelling in the palm of the hands and extends into the first three fingers and the thumb. Occasionally people also report a feeling of swelling in the hand even when no swelling is present. Patients commonly experience weakness in the affected hand and have difficulty picking up small objects. This condition can have a major impact on a person's lifestyle and in some severe cases, if left untreated, the damage to the median nerve can cause permanent loss of movement in the hand.
What are My Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Traditional treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome include physical therapy, bracing, medication, and decompression surgery. Oftentimes these treatments do not fully resolve the condition and may even exacerbate symptoms.
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment option that works by aligning the carpal bones and decompressing the median nerve. Our doctors are trained to find the source of irritation of the median nerve, and correct it, giving you long-term results. If your case requires additional forms of treatment such as physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, or more, we are happy to make recommendations for your specific needs. Call our office today to schedule your consultation and examination.