- Thomas Edison
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Is it difficult to grasp a jar, bottle, or cup? Have you lost the strength to twist open a large jar? Do you have tingling or numbness in your hand, wrist, or fingers? Or, does your wrist just plain hurt? If you have some or all of these symptoms, you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
What is CTS?
It is common to hear this term used frequently when patients have wrist or hand pain. The human body has two long bones that start at the elbow and extend to our wrists. These bones are called the ulna and the radius. Connective tissue attaches the bones near the wrist from one side to the other. Picture in your mind, a piece of silk attached to both bones and pulled tightly. The pressure on the nerves below is the most common cause of true carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fortunately, not all wrist pain should be called CTS. It is important to determine, if in fact, the symptoms are being caused by the pressure on the nerves of the wrist, or if there is a different cause of the problem. It is VERY common for these types of symptoms to exist when there is a neck misalignment, history of auto injury, or other spinal conditions. The nerves of the neck control all the nerves of our arms and hands. If the nerves of the neck are being compressed, wrist and hand pain is a common symptom. Your Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to determine whether your condition is a true carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment:
In some cases your chiropractor can use physical therapy or manipulation of the wrist to alleviate the symptoms of true CTS. In more serious cases, a surgical referral may be required. If it is determined by your chiropractor that the cause of your symptoms are due to a neck-related situation, a series of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Whatever the cause, be assured that we will do our best to lead you in the most appropriate direction for the resolution of your health issue.