For many individuals who frequently complete repetitive tasks such as sewing, typing, lifting weights, using handheld tools, or other tasks involving repetitious hand movement, an ailment is commonly reported. This condition can be described as a tingling, shooting pain that comes with numbness or weakening of the hands. These symptoms are often attributed to a medical condition entitled carpal tunnel syndrome.
Unfortunately, symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome may reduce your ability to work and can interfere with the ability to easily complete daily tasks. However, rest assured! You do not need to suffer these pains alone and without hope for recovery. There are many treatments that a chiropractor can implement that may help relieve your pain and help you recover faster, without the need for surgery, so that you may get back to the things you love.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequently experienced condition that comes along with numbness, tingling, and pain in the wrist, hand, and arm. This condition occurs when the median nerve is compressed, which is why this condition is also sometimes referred to as simply median nerve compression. This condition is named for the narrow pathway of bones and ligaments found at the base of the hand, called the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel pathway encompasses the median nerve and tendons that allow bending of the fingers and feeling to the index, middle, ring fingers, and thumb. When the surrounding tissue of the tendons found through the carpal tunnel becomes inflamed due to irritation, it will place pressure on the median nerve leading to weakness, pain, or numbness in the wrist and hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms will usually come on gradually. This condition may begin with occasional tingling or numbness of the fingers. In addition, many individuals report that they have experienced a feeling of their hands being swollen, despite no visible swelling. Typically, the dominant hand will exhibit the most symptoms and will be affected first. Additionally, another common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is being awoken in the middle of the night and feeling the need to shake your wrists or hands.
As symptoms worsen with time, even completing activities such as driving or lifting objects can become difficult. Because of the tendency of carpal tunnel syndrome to worsen over time, it is essential to understand that without treatment, you are unlikely to find relief from your symptoms as they progress.
Statistically, women are 3x more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but many men who work with their hands also come to develop this condition. Additionally, individuals with metabolic disorders or conditions affecting the nerves are more susceptible to developing this condition, as are individuals who have experienced prior injury to their wrist, are overweight, or who are prone to fluid-retention. The risk of developing this condition is not particular to any specific injury but rather any work that involves repetitive motions such as cleaning, hammering, assembly line work, and more.
How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
There are various methods in which carpal tunnel syndrome may be diagnosed. A medical professional may order imaging tests such as MRI’s, X-rays, or an ultrasound to get a better look at your bones and surrounding tissues. Your doctor may simply tap your wrist or have you flex your wrist to make note of any pain or numbness experienced. Finally, a doctor may order a nerve conduction study or electromyogram that measures your muscle’s electrical activity and electrical signals in your arm.
Can a Chiropractor Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In many cases, after a patient is diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, they are referred to a surgeon for evaluation. While surgery is an option for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, many individuals may not know that they can seek alternative treatment from a chiropractor. As chiropractors, we prefer less-invasive approaches to treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractic treatment can quickly reduce pain, numbness, and tingling while aiding the tissue surrounding your wrist to heal faster.
When you visit Atlas Total Health Chiropractic for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment, we will take a multi-pronged approach tailored to your specific needs. Patients typically receive a combination of treatments, including soft tissue work, dry needling, and other exercises to relieve their pain and get them back to the activities they enjoy without invasive surgery. Every patient is unique and will require different treatments with different anticipated timelines for recovery but exploring your options such as receiving treatment from a chiropractor as opposed to jumping into invasive treatments such as surgery is always a good idea.
Are you ready to relieve your carpal tunnel pain efficiently and fast? Call Atlas Total Health Chiropractic today at (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation and get ready to get back to optimal health quicker.
