How chiropractic care can treat carpal tunnel syndrome

If you're grappling with the discomfort of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hand, wrist, and fingers due to carpal tunnel syndrome, there are alternatives to splints, medication, and surgery. Chiropractic treatment offers a highly effective solution.

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The Significance of Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome arises from pressure on the median nerve, responsible for transmitting signals from your brain to the muscles in your arm, hand, and fingers. Proper nerve function is vital for everyday tasks such as gripping a pen, lifting objects, or turning doorknobs.

The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, a narrow pathway in your wrist formed by bones and tissues. Injuries, fluid retention, chronic nerve-related conditions, or inflammation can further constrict this already tight tunnel. While anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, women are more susceptible due to their smaller bone structure. Certain hobbies or occupations that involve repetitive wrist bending, such as typing, driving, hammering, sewing, painting, or texting, can also increase the risk.

Without timely treatment, symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain may worsen, leading to nerve damage. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, carpal tunnel syndrome can ultimately result in permanent weakness and loss of sensation in the fingers.

How Your Chiropractor Can Alleviate Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Chiropractors offer a range of treatments and strategies to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, including:

Wrist Manipulation (Adjustment) and Mobilization

Through hands-on techniques, chiropractors realign the bones, tendons, and ligaments in your wrist, enhancing mobility. These treatments improve blood flow to soft tissues while reducing pressure, swelling, and inflammation. According to a clinical trial that was published in Clinical Biomechanics, mobilization therapy expanded the carpal tunnel and relieved strain on the median nerve.

Spinal Manipulation

If you experience neck stiffness or soreness in addition to carpal tunnel symptoms, misalignment of cervical (neck) vertebrae may be the underlying cause. Misaligned vertebrae can press on nerves in the neck that connect to the median nerve, resulting in pain and restricted neck movement. A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that restricted neck movement contributed to mild to severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractic spinal manipulation corrects misalignments, alleviates nerve pressure, and improves blood flow. This treatment involves quick, hands-on thrusts that realign vertebrae, relieve pressure on tissues and nerves, and enhance blood circulation.

Ultrasound Therapy

By applying ultrasound waves, this therapy generates heat deep within the wrist tissues, promoting relaxation, and reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling.

Massage Therapy

Tight tissues in the wrist, hand, arm, shoulder, or neck can exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Massage therapy relieves muscle tension, reduces inflammation, and may alleviate pain, numbness, and tingling.

Taping or Bracing

Utilizing braces or tape supports the wrist, safeguarding it from accidental bending or strain.

Exercise

During your chiropractic visit, you may learn specific wrist exercises that stretch muscles, relieve pressure on the median nerve, and facilitate smooth movement of tendons through the carpal tunnel. Additionally, exercises to improve neck range of motion, strengthen neck muscles, and enhance posture and head position may be recommended. Proper head positioning and posture play a role in avoiding neck strain and potential nerve compression.

Ready to explore how chiropractic care can alleviate your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms? Contact our office at the Scoliosis Center Of Utah to schedule your appointment.