Patients go see chiropractor all the time for neck and back pain, but most patients do not think about chiropractic care when it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors offer an alternative therapy compared with mainstream medicine; they focus on getting to the root of the problem and fixing it; in this case it is the severe tension of the tendons and muscle in the wrist that are causing this problem. When we use our hands and wrists repetitively over time; this causes wear and tear on the joints or the hand, wrist and also the tendons. When the tendons of the wrist get too tight, them compress on the blood flow and nerve flow of the wrist and hand, causing numbness and pain into the hand. Carpal tunnel dysfunction can get so bad that a patient is not able to use their hand and wrist effectively; it starts to affect their fine motor control. The majority of carpal tunnel syndrome patients coming to Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness are people in professions where they are overusing their hands and wrists, good examples are plumbers, construction, home builders, AC repair, carpenters, other tradespeople, and computer professionals. Other patients coming in with hand and wrist pain and numbness are people who play tennis, golf, ride motorcycles, shoot guns, and gardeners. Carpal tunnel syndrome is estimated by the Rheumatology Research Foundation to impact approximately 10 million American every year. While some individuals may correctly assess that the sensations of numbness, weakness, tingling, and pain are due to this syndrome, they may also mimic other conditions. To eliminate the guesswork in diagnosing and treating a possible case of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is key to visit a professional Kingwood Chiropractor Most of the new patients who come in to see us with carpal tunnel syndrome are from overuse injuries, just repetitive movements of the forearm, hand and wrist that cause compression
Why Consulting with Your Chiropractor About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is Important
Unfortunately, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hand can be signs or symptoms of many different conditions, one of which is carpal tunnel syndrome. For this reason, consulting with your chiropractor about carpal tunnel syndrome is important.
In addition to ensuring the diagnosis of this syndrome is indeed correct, identifying and addressing it early may be instrumental in limiting or avoiding permanent damage to related muscles and nerves. Treatment may provide people afflicted with carpal tunnel a reprieve that allows them more confidence in their normal activities during the day, and help them develop better sleep patterns at night.
Common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There are two primary symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and their development is typically gradual rather than immediate:
- Weakness. When associated with this condition, weakness is generally more noticeable and severe and can manifest itself as losing a grip on or dropping things via the hand.
- Tingling or numbness. In terms of carpal tunnel syndrome, tingling often precedes numbness and tends to be present in the hand, especially the fingers. In some cases, tingling may travel toward the elbow.
Researchers are still working to establish a baseline for potential risks or causes of a person developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Works
Most people experience the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome due to the compression of the median nerve, which travels through the wrist. This compression and potential nerve mobility may feel like pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness to a patient in their index and/or middle finger, thumb, and/or the inside of the ring finger.
By consulting with your chiropractor in Kingwood about carpal tunnel syndrome, they may be able to tell which nerves are specifically being affected. The median nerve may be the source of trouble for a patient who experience symptoms in the first three fingers and thumb. Another nerve named the ulnar could be the culprit if a person has symptoms in the far side of their ring finger and the adjacent pinky.
A reputable Kingwood chiropractor will explain the median nerve and how it works to help a patient make more sense of the symptoms they are experiencing. The median nerve is not only located in the wrist—it stretches from the neck to the shoulder, and then down the arm. If the nerve is compressed anywhere along these paths, it may create symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling or numbness in the hand and/or wrist.
It may even be possible for median nerve compression to take place in multiple locations, sometimes labeled as double- or multi-crush syndrome. In cases like these, it can make the nerve both hypersensitized as well as more prone to injury or damage.
How A Kingwood Chiropractor May Address Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One of the most important parts of consulting with your chiropractor about carpal tunnel syndrome is the information you as a patient can provide. During your initial visit it is imperative that you describe your medical and physical history with detail, including current symptoms as well as past injuries and symptoms.
After listening to a patient describe the pain or discomfort they are having, how long they have been experiencing it, and to what degree, the chiropractor should perform an initial physical examination based on that information.
If after these steps a chiropractor determines that the median nerve may be entrapped, they should be thorough in assessing the full pathway from the neck down to the arm to look for any other potential issues. Depending on the contributing factors, symptoms, and patient history, treatment may vary. Some possibilities may include:
- Manual manipulation
- Mobilization
- Modalities
- Nocturnal splinting
- Physical therapy or at home exercises
- Soft tissue work
- Stretches
- Workstation modifications
One or more of these solutions may help to reduce pressure on the median nerve, which can also increase its mobility.
Should it be determined by your chiropractor that a fluctuation in hormone levels may be responsible for tissue swelling adjacent to the median nerve, it may also be necessary to address the situation in tandem with a patient’s regular physician.
In most cases, a chiropractor will use an approach that does not include surgery or pain management medications. Instead, these healthcare professionals will use a multi-modal approach to minimize or alleviate symptoms that are bothering the patient.
Post treatment, there may some basic, commonsense steps that people can take to avoid having carpal tunnel syndrome develop again, including:
- Using less force when typing
- Relaxing the grip of your hand when writing something out by hand or coloring or painting
- Avoiding the dramatic bending of your wrists by keeping wrists level with the hand (this may require special tools or implements if you spend hours typing on a computer each day)
- Using a comfortable and ergonomic computer mouse to ensure the wrist is not strained
- Keeping your hands warm to delay the onset of stiffness or pain in the hand
- Ensuring that your posture has the shoulders straight and not rolled forward as that may compress nerves
- Taking regular short breaks to rest the hands and wrists from the position they have previously been in
While these tactics are not guaranteed to stave off carpal tunnel syndrome, they will likely play a large role in delaying the onset or worsening of symptoms.
Talk to your local Kingwood chiropractor about carpal tunnel syndrome as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms is critical to efficient treatment. Symptoms that go unchecked can eventually cause greater nerve or muscle damage which can compound the problem significantly.
FAQ: Can chiropractic care help with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Answer: Yes, chiropractic care can be an effective non-invasive treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Hamel uses chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, shockwave therapy and rehabilitative exercises to address the underlying causes of CTS to alleviate symptoms.
FAQ: What causes carpal tunnel syndrome, and how does chiropractic care address it?
Answer: Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, often due to repetitive motions, overuse activities, wrist injuries, or underlying conditions such as arthritis. Chiropractic care focuses on relieving pressure on the median nerve by realigning the bones of the wrist, releasing tension on the tendons, and reducing inflammation in the area.
FAQ: What symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can chiropractic care help alleviate?
Answer: Chiropractic care can help alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist. By addressing the underlying nerve compression and restoring proper alignment, Dr. Hamel can provide relief from CTS symptoms.
FAQ: Is chiropractic care safe for treating carpal tunnel syndrome?
Answer: Yes, chiropractic care is generally safe for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. All of the therapies that Dr. Hamel provides are non-invasive and comfortable for the patient. Most patients coming in with CTS do not want to get surgery or to keep taking strong pain medicine or NSAID’s, the chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises and shockwave therapy offer a safer, more natural remedy as compared to mainstream medicine.
FAQ: How soon can I expect relief from carpal tunnel syndrome with chiropractic care?
Answer: The timeframe for experiencing relief from carpal tunnel syndrome with chiropractic care varies depending on factors such as the severity of the condition, how long the patient has been suffering with the condition and what other therapies they have tried. With chiropractic care and shockwave therapy from Dr. Hamel, many patients start to see improvements within 1-2 weeks, with the plan of getting CTS completely healed and function back to normal in 2-3 months.
FAQ: What can I expect during a chiropractic appointment for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Answer: During a chiropractic appointment for carpal tunnel syndrome, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough evaluation of your wrist, hand, and upper extremities to assess for any misalignments or areas of nerve compression. Dr. Hamel provides the latest in modern medicine technology with shockwave therapy, this uses sounds waves to penetrate deep into the wrist to eliminate inflammation and improve circulation. Other treatment he uses include extremity adjustments, muscle releasing of the wrist and forearm muscles as well as exercises to stabilize the area.
FAQ: Can chiropractic care prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from recurring?
Answer: Chiropractic care can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from recurring by addressing underlying issues such as wrist misalignments, muscle imbalances, and poor posture. After the treatment plan is completed, Dr. Hamel recommends to all patients to continue with daily stretches and exercises as well as monthly chiropractic visits to make sure CTS does not come back.
FAQ: Will my medical insurance cover chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment?
Answer: Yes, often times medical insurance covers chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Hamel’s office is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, all HMO, PPO, POS and other plans are accepted. With many of Dr. Hamel’s patients, whenever they come in they just have a co-pay for each of their carpal tunnel syndrome treatments. For those patients who do not have insurance they offer very affordable self-pay options as well as accepting all HSA and FSA health spending cards.
