Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is an extremely painful condition that starts in the wrists. One of the primary nerves in the hands is the median nerve, and CTS occurs when the wrist tissues compress (squeeze) this nerve. The reason this condition is called carpal tunnel syndrome is the median nerves run from the cervical spine down the arms via passageways called carpal tunnels. Revive Medical Center’s chiropractors can help you with your CTS.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome most commonly occurs with repetitive motion, which is why people who type or enter data all day are most prone to suffer from the condition. Any job where you use your hands and arms repeatedly throughout the day can cause CTS. Your wrists aren’t the only thing that can compress the median nerve. There are several pressure points along the nerve’s route.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Signs that you have CTS generally develop over time. They are subtle and you might not realize you’re on the road to damaging your median nerve(s) until you start to notice the following:
- Pain in your hands, wrists, and/or arms
- Numbness in your hands, wrists, and/or arms
- Tingling in your hands, wrists, and/or arms
- Constant shoulder tension and pain
If carpal tunnel syndrome is to blame for your pain and discomfort, the symptoms will feel worse near your thumbs. You may also feel sensations of sleep or shock in your hands, wrists, and arms.
How Can a Chiropractor Help?
As with all chiropractic medical procedures, curing the condition means treating the underlying cause. In the case of CTS, the chiropractor must relieve the pressure being inflicted on the median nerve. Treatments could include adjusting the cervical or upper portion of the spine and manipulating the elbows and/or wrists to relieve the median nerve compression.
Massage therapy can also help CTS. As with manipulation, massage therapy is a non-invasive approach to reduce the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. By itself or combined with chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy will reduce inflammation and relax the muscles from the neck all the way down to the hands. Often, chiropractic treatment plus massage is the most effective route to relief.
Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA, would be happy to discuss chiropractic treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome with you. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
