About three percent of people in the United States have carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS is a painful condition that can cause patients numbness and severe pain, making it difficult for anyone to use their hand and function.
Sometimes, doctors recommend aggressive treatment options like surgery or steroid injections, which come with risks and complications. Conservative treatments like chiropractic care may be more appealing for you; they can help relieve carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms without much risk.
Can a chiropractor help with carpal tunnel syndrome? Learn more about CTS and how a chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome can help you find relief from pain.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is about an inch wide, and located inside the wrist. It’s surrounded by a tight bind of connective tissue and tendons that keep the carpal tunnel from expanding or contracting.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve and other nerves in the carpal tunnel are compressed or squeezed anywhere along the wrist. This causes numbness, pain, or a tingling sensation in the hands or through the arms.
CTS worsens over time, causing permanent dysfunction such as loss of sensation and weakness. It’s essential to have it diagnosed and treated by a chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome as soon as possible.
Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to various factors. They may not cause CTS directly, but they increase the irritation or damage the median nerve experiences.
Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include:
Sex
Women are more susceptible to CTS than men. This may be due to the smaller carpal tunnels women have compared to men.
Work Factors
Using vibrating tools or repetitive wrist motions may worsen nerve damage or put pressing on the median nerve. This is especially worse in cold work environments.
Inflammatory Conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions may also affect the wrist tendons, placing pressure on the median nerve.
Nerve Damage
Conditions like diabetes and other chronic illnesses can increase the risk of nerve damage, including the median nerve.
Anatomy
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in people with small carpal tunnels. Wrist fractures, dislocations, or arthritis that causes minor bone deformities can also alter the carpal tunnel space, pressing on the median nerve.
Medications
There has been some evidence linking carpal tunnel syndrome to anastrozole, a medication used in treating breast cancer.
Changes in Body Fluids
Fluid retention increases pressure on the carpal tunnel and irritates the median nerve. This often happens during pregnancy or menopause. Pregnancy-associated carpal tunnel syndrome resolves on its own after pregnancy.
Numerous studies have also examined whether computer use can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, with some evidence pointing to mouse use as the main culprit, not keyboard use. Although computer use may cause other forms of hand pain, it’s not a known risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome, and there hasn’t been enough consistent evidence.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
CTS symptoms may include:
- Sporadic shock-like sensations radiating to the thumb, middle, and ring fingers
- Weak and clumsy hands that make fine hand movements difficult to do
- Tingling, burning, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers in the morning
- Pain radiating from the arms to the shoulder
- Frequently dropping items due to not feeling where your hand is relative to space
These symptoms gradually develop without injury. Patients often find their symptoms disappear from time to time, then gradually feel them more frequently and longer as the condition progresses.
Nighttime symptoms are also common; many people fall asleep with their wrists bent, which can cause symptoms that can wake them up from sleep. Bending wrists or holding objects for too long during the day may also cause people to experience symptoms.
Most patients find relief by moving or shaking their hands.
Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The treatments your doctor may recommend will depend on the severity of your condition. Some of their recommendations may include:
Change lifestyle
Patients often experience symptoms when their hands and wrists are in the same place for too long, especially if the wrists are extended or flexed.
Changing your habits at work or hobbies may slow down or stop the progression of the disease. Changing their workplace or workstation is another carpal tunnel solution patients may need to implement to lessen their symptoms.
Immobilization
This is a common carpal tunnel solution. You can keep your wrists from bending while you sleep by wearing a brace or splint. Keep your wrists straight to reduce the pressure on the carpal tunnel nerves. You may also find wearing a splint during the day helpful, especially if you’re doing things that may aggravate the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Medication
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen and ibuprofen offer patients relief from pain and inflammation. Doctors may also inject cortisone into the carpal tunnel to relieve pain or calm flare-ups. They may also use these injections to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.
Exercises
Engaging in exercise is another excellent carpal tunnel solution. Some patients may find it beneficial to perform nerve gliding exercises, which allow the median nerve to move more freely inside the carpal tunnel. Your doctor may also recommend specific exercises depending on your condition.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery if nonsurgical treatments fail to relieve your symptoms completely. They may also recommend surgery if your hands constantly feel numb and your thumb muscles are wasting away to help prevent irreversible damage.
Can a Chiropractor Help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Traditional carpal tunnel treatment protocols have side effects, and surgery has its own risks. Chiropractic care is another non-invasive way to find relief from carpal tunnel syndrome. A chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome can:
Strengthen Your Hand
Chiropractic care is all about strengthening and mobility, things that will help your hand heal and prevent further injury. Your chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome can teach you exercises to make you stronger and how to perform them at home to help continuously build your strength.
Protect Your Body
Chiropractic care is a safer alternative to traditional carpal tunnel treatment. It’s non-invasive, less expensive, and has minimal side effects. It also eliminates the need for medications. Chiropractic treatments reduce inflammation and pain in the carpal tunnel and help prevent its condition from getting worse.
A chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome is well-versed in ergonomics and proper movement. They can help you identify what is causing your condition. They may also help you adjust your movements to keep your wrists safe and learn new methods of achieving your goals without injury.
Find A Chiropractor for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Advanced Chiropractors Group
Give us a call. We can help connect you to the best chiropractors in Vail, CO, who can help you with carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain issues. Start your journey to wellness today.
