Carpal Tunnel and Chiropractic
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The carpal tunnel syndrome is an injury caused by the impingement or compression of the median nerve located at the wrist, in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve. It is this nerve that gives sensation and movement to parts of the hand. The carpal tunnel is formed by bones of the wrist, and through its opening pass the median nerve, tendons, and blood vessels. If one or more of the bones forming this tunnel “collapses”, inflammation, nerve pressure and painful symptoms may occur.
In addition, the median nerve connects with the spinal cord through the openings of the vertebrae in the neck. When the vertebrae lose their normal mobility or position, they can cause problems in the fingers and wrist.
Causes:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who use their hands repetitively, dentists, mechanics, hairdressers, computer specialists and sometimes athletes. The use of vibrating hand tools can also lead to this problem.
It also occurs in other people, especially in people with arthritis, diabetes, obesity, hormonal changes, accidents, rupture, cyst or tumour.
The muscles of the forearm also contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, as do cervical disorders. The reason why the cervical spine may be contributing to the cause is that all the nerves to the arm and hand originate in the cervical spine.
Symptoms:
or pain and cramps in the wrist.
or pain, tingling and numbness in the hand and fingers.
or wrist pain
or loss of hand strength.
o Atrophy in hand muscles
o Clumsiness in handling objects
How does chiropractic help us?
- Chiropractic restores proper function by decompressing the wrist. Decompression is achieved by moving any bones that have become displaced.
- Chiropractic checks for cervical impingement that may be affecting the nerve root and if so, corrects it.
- The chiropractor also works to loosen the muscles to relieve tension in the area and reduce inflammation.
The median nerve runs from the fingertips, through the wrist bones, through the elbow, along the arm, down the shoulder and neck, and finally to the spinal cord within the spinal column. The chiropractic specialist will perform a specific adjustment of the wrist to relieve pressure from the compressed median nerve in the carpal tunnel. He will also release the shoulder or elbow joint if the same nerve is compressed if necessary. When there is also impingement at the neck or back, he will adjust the subluxated (misaligned) vertebra to restore mobility, relax the muscles and release the nerve entrapment.
Pain and tingling subside, as well as numbness, and in most cases surgery can be avoided.. Chiropractic corrects the causes, which is why you experience improvement.
