Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Have you felt pain, tingling, or numbness in your wrist? If so, you might be surprised to learn that chiropractic can help. We at Natural Care Chiropractic in Lindenhurst take a holistic approach to pain relief and provide effective treatments for pinched nerves throughout the body, including carpal tunnel syndrome. 

 

We treat carpal tunnel without the use of medication. Let our chiropractors naturally relieve your pain and inflammation, teach you ways to avoid future pain, and provide natural wellness support.

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What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the palm, is pressed or squeezed in the wrist passageway - or tunnel. The median nerves provide the feeling and movement for the muscles, which cause the tendons to bend the fingers, making it a common cause of pain in fingers and wrist/hand. The small muscles at the base of the thumb also control the bending and stretching of fingers and hand and the movement of other muscles in the hand and wrist.

 

The carpal tunnel is a structure in the wrist made up of bones and ligaments surrounding the median nerve. When the carpal tunnel is inflamed, compression in the median nerve can cause a feeling of shock that travels up the arm and into the neck. It can also inhibit the functioning of the fingers to which the median nerve connects.

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CTS is a known form of entrapment neuropathy in which one of the peripheral nerves in the body is pressed or squeezed. An irritated tendon or other swelling thickens the irritated tendons and narrows the tunnel. The result can be pain in the hand or wrist, but sometimes, some people may feel pain in the forearm or arm.

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What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome, which happens when the median nerve gets compressed, has many potential causes. Any inflammation or injury that compresses the median nerve could cause carpal tunnel. Some people develop this condition after a sports injury or a repetitive strain injury from typing. Others develop rheumatoid arthritis and experience carpal tunnel as a side effect of their arthritis. Sometimes, multiple factors cause carpal tunnel. Our treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome will relieve the pain and compression of your median nerve while also treating any underlying cause for the painful condition. 

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Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain and tingling, muscle weakness, and numbness in your fingers and thumbs. One or both hands may be affected. Some people drop objects because they no longer have the strength to carry them. These symptoms usually begin gradually with a tingling sensation in the finger or wrist area and with little to no swelling. 

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The dominant hand is usually the first to be affected and produces the most severe symptoms, and the symptoms often occur during the night in one hand. A person with CTS may wake up and feel a tingling sensation in their hand or wrist and feel as if they are shaking their hands or wrists. When symptoms worsen, some people may feel tingling while holding a phone, reading a book, or driving a car. These symptoms likely occur when the hand or wrist is in the same position for too long, such as when it is bent or stretched. When the median nerve motor or movement portion doesn't work as well as it used to, you will have less grip strength. You may experience pain and muscle spasms, causing difficulty in any activity involving the hands.

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Some people with severe CTS can burn their fingertips without knowing it and cannot distinguish between hot and cold through touch. In chronic, untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb can become immobile. This weakness in the hand can make it difficult to grab small objects and perform other manual tasks. If you suffer from these symptoms, schedule a visit to our chiropractic clinic.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome is often a combination of factors that increase the risk of injuries, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or heart failure. The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It is often very similar to the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an increasing factor of chronic pain.

 

CTS is often a degenerative condition that results from overuse. People whose jobs require them to make repetitive motions, such as typing or painting, commonly develop it, as do athletes, such as tennis players. Other factors contributing to compression are the repeated use of vibrating hand tools such as hammers and other mechanical tools.

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How We Treat Carpal Tunnel

Initial treatment is usually a splint worn at night to reduce the compression of the tunnel, but the underlying causes, such as diabetes or arthritis, should also be considered. Treating carpal tunnel syndrome should start immediately after the first sign of pain, even after a few days or weeks. Some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can also be alleviated by massage or other non-surgical treatments. If the wrist is red, warm, or swollen, using an ice pack or applying cold therapy can help. Some people with mild discomfort often want to take a break to calm their hands.

 

Rest is recommended, but therapeutic exercise may be necessary for a full recovery. Our chiropractors and chiropractic assistants can also ensure no blockages in the cervical spine or musculature that may be affecting the median nerve and can help identify lifestyle solutions that will put less stress on a patient’s carpal tunnel.

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Some people benefit from acupuncture and chiropractic treatments. Acupuncture, for example, has been shown to relieve pain and improve grip in CTS patients. Our chiropractors believe your body has the resources and ability to recover from an ailment and live in wellness. To encourage healing through the nervous system, our chiropractors remove interference that prevents the brain from using the spinal channel to communicate with the body. As we clear out any blockages along the spine, your nervous system can regain proper functionality to heal from illness and disease.

 

Adjustments also remove nerve impingements, directly reducing the symptoms and pain you feel. Your pain and inflammation will subside as we free up the carpal nerve. Through a series of treatments, we will restore your body's natural strength and range of motion. We will introduce physical therapy exercises designed to stretch and strengthen your muscles to support a full recovery. To help you live in full health, we will share nutrition tips that promote wellness. Finally, if we think that environment and lifestyle contribute to carpal tunnel, we will coach you on ergonomic and lifestyle changes to positively affect your health. 

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Prevention

If work or leisure activities exacerbate symptoms, changing or altering these activities can help slow or stop the syndrome's progression. Avoid activities during the day that can cause symptoms, such as typing, hiking, running, cycling, swimming, and other strenuous activities. In some cases, what can help is a change of ergonomic set-up at the workplace or the application of a massage or other non-surgical treatment. In the early stages, it may be possible to slow or stop the progression of the disease. If the diagnosis is uncertain or the symptoms are mild, a doctor may recommend non-surgical treatment if possible.

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Visit a Chiropractor

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a gradual process, but it can worsen over time. Therefore, it is important to be assessed and diagnosed by a doctor early. Our chiropractors always take the time to talk with our patients, get to know them and their health needs, and answer any questions they may have. If you are tired of feeling rushed at doctor's appointments or do not want to take drugs to hide the pain you feel, we invite you to give chiropractic a try. 

 

Are you ready to start your journey toward wellness by becoming a patient at our chiropractic clinic serving Lindenhurst, IL, and the surrounding communities? If so, please call 847-265-0600 or complete the appointment form on our website. We look forward to helping you quickly recover from carpal tunnel syndrome with our hands-on treatments.

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