Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Feeling pain, numbness, or tingling in your wrist or fingers? Are you starting to drop things or fail to maintain a good grip at times? This may all be due to a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, we here at Live Well Chiropractic can help those in the Roy and Ogden, Utah area find relief. Continue reading to learn more about this condition.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when undue pressure is placed on a major nerve located in the wrist. This nerve stretches from your cervical, or upper spine, down your arm, and threads through a narrow path or passageway in the wrist called the Carpal Tunnel.

Pressure on the major nerve, called the median nerve, may be present at several different points along the path between your neck and the carpal tunnel, thus causing various symptoms in your hand and wrist, such as:

• numbness,
• burning,
• tingling
• wrist pain
• hand weakness

Often, the pressure occurs in the carpal tunnel itself. Surrounded by bone and ligaments, this passageway, or tunnel, can experience swelling, leading to compression on the median nerve.

Causes

There are several potential causes for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

• anatomy of your wrist
• existing health issues, such as arthritis, other inflammatory disease, diabetes, or thyroid conditions
• repetitive strain, such as in repetitive hand motions
• injuries to the wrist including fracture, joint dislocation, and sprains
• obesity
• fluid retention, such as during pregnancy

How a Chiropractor Can Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A chiropractor thoroughly understands nerve entrapment throughout the body, as well as the effects of repetitive strain. With this knowledge, your chiropractor will be able to determine where the pressure on the median nerve is occurring. If the underlying cause resides in your upper spine, the pressure will be relieved through spinal manipulation. If the pressure is specifically occurring in the carpal tunnel area of the wrist, relief can be provided by way of gentle manipulation of the wrist and elbow.  This may be followed up with massage therapy and/or injections, as well as certain exercises, to help alleviate the symptoms and promote healing.

Call Live Well Chiropractic Today!

Now that you know more about carpal tunnel syndrome, it is time to take action. If you are presently experiencing wrist pain or any of the other common symptoms, and live in the Roy or Ogden area, contact our office today for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Live Well Chiropractic is here to help you find relief and start healing so you can live your best life every day.