Has your hand ever felt numb, painful, or have a tingling sensation? If so, it could be carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel is a common condition that affects adults. There are a variety of treatments that are available, such as medication, steroid injection, or surgery. Not everyone wants to resort to medication or endure aggressive treatments; therefore, they look for a safer alternative, such as chiropractic treatment.
You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is carpal tunnel and the symptoms that go along with it?” The following information will explain carpal tunnel syndrome and how chiropractic treatment can help.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a tiny passageway of the nerves located in your wrist. It is encompassed by ligaments and bones on the palm part of your hand. When the middle nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel is compressed, you start to feel symptoms including weakness, tingling, and numbness in your arm and hand.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome normally start slowly. The following are symptoms that you may start to have when experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Numbness and Tingling – You will start experiencing a tingling sensation or numbness in your hand or fingers. The main fingers you will notice this feeling is in the thumb, index, and middle or ring fingers. It can feel like an electric shock running through these fingers and traveling to your wrist and arm. This experience can happen while doing anything, such as holding a phone, reading a book, or sleeping. This can become a constant feeling over time.
- Weakness – Weakness in the hand is another symptom you may feel with carpal tunnel syndrome. This type of pain can cause you to drop things you are holding and can be caused by the numbness or weakness of the muscles in your hands and fingers.
Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome begins to develop when pressure is put on the median nerve, which travels from the forearm through the carpal tunnel in the wrists. This nerve also provides sensations to the palm side of the fingers and thumb, excluding the pinky. It also delivers motor functions and signals to the base of the thumb. If there is an irritation or if a nerve is squeezed in the carpal tunnel space, then it leads to carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are many factors that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, but usually the cause is unknown. A few things that may contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome include the unique make-up of your wrist, continuous motions, and other health problems. It can also be caused by swelling or inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment Options
For minor cases, there are a few simple things that you can do to improve carpal tunnel syndrome to keep it from worsening. These include taking frequent breaks to rest your hands, use a cold pack for the swelling and do not engage in activities that could make it worse. For more serious cases, treatment options include splinting, taking medications, and surgery.
Due to the risks that are associated with conventional treatments and medication, many people would rather do non-invasive and natural methods of treatment. Some of these treatments include yoga, hand therapy, and lifestyle and home remedies.
How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help
One other way people can get relief from carpal tunnel syndrome is by receiving chiropractic care. It can be an effective option without undergoing surgery. Most people have found relief and have shown improvement in their range and finger sensation. The following are major ways that chiropractic care can benefit an individual.
- Non-Invasive Option
Chiropractic care is a great alternative to surgery for those who have gone undiagnosed or untreated for a long time. Regular visits for adjustments and sessions will produce positive results in managing and treating pain and symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. - Reduces Reliance to Medication
Taking your daily medication isn’t necessarily to best course of action to take when managing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people even experience negative side effects. Chiropractic care will help reduce reliance on pain medication when managing and relieving your symptoms. Attending regular chiropractic sessions will ensure your musculoskeletal system is correctly aligned to help your body function at its best. Working with a chiropractor will allow you to have an individualized treatment plan to make sure you take the path that’s right for you. - Learn to Manage Symptoms
When experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, you can feel like there is no hope to heal. Working with a chiropractor will help you learn to manage your symptoms and have more control over your body.
At North County Pain Relief, our experienced chiropractors can help you find relief for your pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. We will help create a treatment plan that works best for you in managing your symptoms. Call us today at (314) 731-4201 so we can get started on relieving your pain.
