Can Chiropractic Treatment Help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) also known as median nerve compression is a medical condition that affects the hand and arm caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. The Carpal “tunnel” is a narrow passage-way located in the wrist. It allows for the median nerve to extend from the spine to the hand, to pass through.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when there is compression on the median nerve potentially causing the loss of feeling and movement to portions of the hand. Women are three times as prone to developing the condition as men. Experts say 71% of women suffer this problem normally due to the smaller size of most women’s carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are unknown. It can be associated with any condition that causes pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Some common conditions that can lead to CTS include:

  • Obesity
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Pre-diabetes
  • Trauma etc…

Pain Areas: Hands, Wrist or Forearm.

Key Symptoms: Pain in the hand and arm with numbness or tingling.

People may also Experience these symptoms:

  • Hand Numbness
  • Sensation of Pins and Needles
  • Clumsiness in Hand
  • Hand Pain at Night
  • Hand Weakness
  • Wrist Weakness

What are the Treatment Methods for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

There are lot of treatment method available today from yoga to surgery depending on patient’s condition and the extent of the carpal tunnel syndrome problem. Remember that the same treatment that helps your friend or neighbor may not work for you. You may need to try out different treatment options per your condition to get the relief you need.

Treatment method options:

Splint: A rigid accessory that is used to stabilize and protect an injured point.

Steroids: This drug modifies and stimulates hormone effects, often to reduce inflammation or for tissue growth and repair.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug: Relieves pain, decreases inflammation and reduces fever.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Performed to relieve pressure on the nerve passing through the wrist.

Ice Pack: Reduces inflammation and dulls sensation of pain.

Rest: Reducing activity for a short period of time following an injury to promote healing.

Stretching: Stretching exercises can improve flexibility and improve physical function.

Chiropractic Care: A drug free, non-surgical treatment

Primary Care Provider (PCP): Helps with diagnosis

Occupational Therapist: Help with movement and stretching exercises.

Physiotherapist: Restores muscle strength and function through exercise.

Hand Surgeon: Performs surgery to treat hand conditions.

What is the role of Chiropractic in treating CTS?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can become a serious problem and if nothing is done you may require surgery to fix the problem. If caught early, then chiropractic treatment is an effective, drug-free method to ease the symptoms and pain caused by CTS, and provide long-term relief from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome comes on slowly and gets worse with time. The median nerve in the wrist when trapped can cause great pain. An experienced chiropractor like Dr. Scott Jutte, will help to “reset” your body, arm, wrist to the correct position, which will allow better nerve flow and all the body to heal itself and in turn help treat your CTS. A combination of rest, ice, laser therapy, electrical stimulation and manual adjustment, based on your chiropractic assessment will help to fix the problem.

Nutritional supplements like, B6 vitamins helps in treating CTS. A technique that may also help is called electro-acupuncture. This option helps to stimulate the median points allowing your body to open those areas that are compressed.

Chiropractors also highly suggest healthy habits such as – avoiding repetitive stress, work modification through ergonomic equipment, stretches and isometric exercises that will aid in prevention and recovery for persons at risk.

If you are experiencing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or have any questions about it, please give us a call for Chiropractic Care in Dickson – (615) 375-8423

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