Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that typically affects individuals who are more than 50 years of age. Women between the ages of 30 and 60 have the highest rates of carpal tunnel syndrome. Research has demonstrated that carpal tunnel syndrome is a very significant cause of missed work days due to pain.

Exactly what is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is actually an area in the wrist where the bones and ligaments create a small passageway for the median nerve to pass through. These small wrist bones are called carpal bones and thus the name of the syndrome or condition. When all these bones are positioned together, they form a (opening) or tunnel where the median nerve passes through. The median nerve is responsible for both sensation and movement in the hand, in particular the thumb and first three fingers. When the median nerve is compressed, an individual’s hand will feel as if it has “gone to sleep.” It’s like stepping on a garden hose with water running through it. If you step on the hose the water doesn’t come out of the end. Similar to pressure on a nerve. If you cut off the nerve flow, things go numb and or weak.

Causes and symptoms
Compression of the median nerve in the wrist can occur during a number of different conditions, particularly those conditions which lead to changes in fluid accumulation throughout the body. Because the area of the wrist through which the median nerve passes is very narrow, any swelling in the area will lead to pressure on the median nerve. This pressure will ultimately interfere with the nerve’s ability to function normally. Pregnancy, obesity, arthritis, certain thyroid conditions, diabetes, and certain pituitary abnormalities all predispose to carpal tunnel syndrome. Other conditions which increase the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome include some forms of arthritis and various injuries to the arm and wrist (including fractures, sprains, and dislocations). Furthermore, activities which cause an individual to repeatedly bend the wrist inward toward the forearm can predispose to carpal tunnel syndrome. Certain jobs which require repeated strong wrist motions carry a relatively high risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Injuries of this type are referred to as “repetitive motion” injuries, and are more frequent among secretaries doing a lot of typing, people working at computer keyboards or cash registers, factory workers, and some musicians.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, burning, tingling, and a prickly pin-like sensation over the palm surface of the hand, and into the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Some individuals notice a shooting pain which goes from the wrist up the arm, or down into the hand and fingers. With continued median nerve compression, an individual may begin to experience muscle weakness, making it difficult to open jars and hold objects with the affected hand. Eventually, the muscles of the hand served by the median nerve may begin to grow noticeably smaller (atrophy), especially the fleshy part of the thumb. Untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome may eventually result in permanent weakness, loss of sensation, or even paralysis of the thumb and fingers of the affected hand

The medical approach is to recommend surgery to decrease the compression of the median nerve in hope that it will restore its normal function. This procedure involves severing the ligament that crosses the wrist, thus allowing the median nerve more room and decreasing compression. Aside from the time it will take the body to heal the wound, the rehabilitation and the time off work. you will also be left with an ugly scar. You need to remember that once you cut, you cannot undo it. If your condition is related to misalignment of the carpal bones that are creating pressure on the median nerve, there is a great chance that chiropractic non invasive treatment will resolve the problem. My motto is ”try everything else available” before you have a surgery. It is my opinion that this should always be the decision of last resort.

Carpal Tunnel and Chiropractic
Whenever people hear the word “chiropractic”, they often think of problems that involve either the back or the neck. But chiropractic has many other uses beyond these typical conditions where it can help improve one’s well-being for a broad range of health conditions. One of which is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly treated by chiropractors. It has been shown that chiropractic care can significantly reduce the symptoms thus improving the overall function of the hands and wrist.

If you think you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and are having a hard time finding relief, contact our office today. We will be happy to discuss with you how chiropractic can help you. Take our tests and see how you do. Then call our office today to arrange a consultation to see how we can help. Dr. Chris Hawn at Life Point Chiropractic