Surgery or medication is a common treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the issues we face in our palms, wrists, and forearms. But there are natural treatment options for such problems. Have you ever thought, can chiropractor help with carpal tunnel? Chiropractic adjustments are popular, non-invasive care for musculoskeletal issues in our bodies. So, yes, a qualified chiropractor can treat carpal tunnel syndrome effectively. In today’s discussion, we will discuss carpal tunnel in an easily understandable way and explain how chiropractic care can help with it.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the palm of the hand and forearms. It occurs because of pressure on the median nerve. Compression of the nerve inside the carpal tunnel of our hands. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway bounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side. Along with ligaments, the median nerve also passes through the carpal tunnel. This nerve provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and 3 middle fingers. It is quite like a connection between the forearm and these fingers through the wrist of your hand. When this sensory nerve gets compressed inside the narrow passageway in the wrist, it causes pain and discomfort. This is what carpal tunnel syndrome entails.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Increased pressure within the carpal tunnel muscle tissues is what causes carpal tunnel syndrome. This uneven pressure compresses the median nerve as it travels across the wrist into the palm through the carpal tunnel. Though the main cause is the pressure inside the carpal tunnel, this can not be attributed as the only reason. Let’s have a look at the others:
-
Anatomical Changes and Differences
On average, females have smaller carpal tunnel sizes than men and are more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people may have smaller than average carpal tunnel sizes for genetical reasons. Additionally, bones and joints could change shape over time due to diseases such as arthritis like osteoarthritis or trauma to the wrist. These are some anatomical causes of carpal tunnel syndrome.
-
Swelling and Inflammation
Extending or flexing the wrist for long periods of time may cause swelling and inflammation in the median nerve. When tissues in and around the carpal tunnel swell, they could press on the median nerve, eventually causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
-
Other Contributing Factors
Frequent fluctuations in blood sugar level, especially in type-2 diabetic patients, may cause CTS. Injury and obesity are also often attributed as the cause of CTS.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Experienced medical professionals have pointed out some common symptoms in CTS patients.
- Burning, irritation, or long-term itching in the palm side of the wrist or fingers
- Reduced strength of hands
- Finding it difficult to hold things up
- Slight prickling or stinging sensations that move up your arm
- Difficulty feeling your fingers
- Sudden flare-ups while driving or holding a book for a long time
It is a popular idea to wait until you feel several symptoms before seeing a practitioner. However, waiting for too long may worsen the situation.
How Can Chiropractor Help with Carpal Tunnel?
We have an average assumption that chiropractic adjustments can help only for back conditions. In reality, chiropractors can treat any joint pain in the body, including the wrist, hand, finger joints, and related problems. In your first appointment with a chiropractor, they will evaluate your symptoms carefully and take a closer look at your medical history.
Once they address the problems you’re facing, they will develop a personalized treatment plan for you. As mentioned, the symptoms may vary by patient. Hence, personalized treatment for each patient is the way to go. In the section below, we have focused on some ways chiropractic can help carpal tunnel, depending on the patient’s condition.
-
Soft Tissue Therapies
Trigger points, such as hard knots in the muscle, often cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors perform soft tissue therapies to relax those trigger points. Reducing stiffness reduces the pressure on ligaments and comforts the pain.
-
Spinal Manipulation
Sometimes, misaligned vertebrae of the spine can cause symptoms of CTS in the arm, wrist, and hand. Patients may develop the misalignment of vertebrae, also called subluxations, for many reasons. Some common reasons are faulty posture, malnutrition, lack of exercise, or improper sleeping position. The chiropractors will analyze and find out the reasons attributed to specific cases. They will then perform therapies for spinal manipulation to realign the vertebrae and relieve pressure on the nerve gently.
-
Arm Manipulation
During arm manipulation, the specialist chiropractor moves the arm at the shoulder joint. The goal is to break up adhesions and loosen the stiff joints. This process is one of the most common chiropractic treatments for CTS.
-
Therapeutic Stretches and Exercises
Therapeutic stretches help the patient to recover gradually. This is an effective and fruitful therapy in the long run. In this chiropractic method, regular exercise helps the patient strengthen ligaments. As a result, it saves the patient from repetitive CTS and other joint pains.
How to Help Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There is no across-the-board strategy to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. However, there are ways to reduce stress on the hands and wrists. Here are six methods you can try,
1. Reduce the Pressure on Hands
Use a keyboard or cash register to function properly with less pressure on your fingers. Oversized pens with thicker diameters also help reduce pressure on the palm, wrist, and fingers. Use pens that flow easily on the paper to reduce extra pressure while writing for a long time.
2. Taking Short Breaks
Working for a long time without a break can cause pain even in healthier joints. Whatever you may be doing with your hands, take a short break. Gently squeeze and open the feast. This will let the blood flow properly and reduce the stiffness of the forearm.
3. Change the Computer Mouse
Choose a computer mouse that is big enough to hold comfortably without straining your wrist. Try to keep your hands warm. A warmer condition decreases the risks of developing hand pain and stiffness. If you don’t have control over the environment of your workplace, consider using a heated mouse pad or fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm.
When to See a Chiropractor for Carpal Tunnel
The simplest answer is when you are uncomfortable with any joint or muscle of your body. Often, we say to ourselves, no, it is not something critical. That is an appreciable practice as it is part of a positive mindset. But at the same time, maybe we are turning a blind eye to today’s minor pains that will increase suffering in the future. Remember, a quick diagnosis is better than a late one. Reach out to your family physician first and understand your next move.
Conclusion
Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when we ignore the necessity of regular exercise, proper rest, and repetitive motions of the hand and the overall body. Chiropractic care offers non-invasive treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The key benefit of regular chiropractic care is that it can help alleviate pain and restore proper movement of your hands.
If you or a family member is going through symptoms like weakness in the hand, pain in the bones in the wrist, or carpal tunnel area, feel free to contact The Brost Clinic. We are a specialized chiropractic and acupuncture clinic that focuses on the holistic treatment and recovery of patients.
Consider discussing the patient’s condition and medical history openly with our licensed chiropractors. This will help us to diagnose the exact reasons and initiate a quick recovery. We proudly serve patients from the surrounding areas of Plymouth, Minnetonka, Mound, Orono, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Hamel, Deephaven, Medina, Hopkins, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, and beyond.