CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
People often mistakenly assume that chiropractic care is only suitable for treating spinal conditions such as back and neck pain. However, chiropractic care focuses on the treatment of joint misalignment throughout the body. Although this field is primarily concerned with spinal health, there is no denying that issues with the spinal column can adversely affect other areas of the body. This should come as no surprise since the spine is responsible for protecting the spinal cord, which is the main conduit for passing messages between the brain and all of the nerves in the body!
When you’re suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you might not immediately think to visit a chiropractor, but the professionals at Centro Chiropractic Clinic are uniquely qualified to help you treat this painful and restrictive condition. What is carpal tunnel syndrome and how is it treated with the aid of chiropractic care and support services?
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a condition that affects the median nerve, which runs from the upper arm, near the shoulder, down into the hand, controlling movement and sensation in the thumb and all of the fingers except the pinkie. This is the only nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel, a passage in the wrist consisting of bones and ligaments. When the carpal tunnel becomes swollen and inflamed, it can put pressure on the median nerve, resulting in a variety of symptoms. One of the first symptoms patients with CTS often experience is a feeling of numbness and tingling, or the sensation that the fingers have “fallen asleep”. You may notice this sensation particularly when you’ve been sleeping, and you first wake up. Pain, itching, and burning sensations are also common, and may extend up the arm.
In time, weakness could develop, especially related to grip strength and the ability to pinch the thumb and fingers together. Muscle cramps and pain could become prevalent, along with ongoing pain, loss of feeling in the fingers, and slowed nerve impulses. Over time, muscle damage and loss of function in the hand could become permanent, so it’s important to seek diagnosis and treatment immediately when you start to experience symptoms of CTS.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Several factors could contribute to the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people simply have smaller carpal tunnel structures that are more prone to irritating the median nerve. You may suffer some kind of trauma or injury that causes swelling and irritation. Diseases and disorders like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, an overactive pituitary gland, or hypothyroidism could also be to blame, as could fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause.
Many people also suffer from repetitive motion injuries related to their occupations. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not uncommon for people who sit at a computer, toggling a mouse and typing on a keyboard all day. Use of vibrating hand tools could also lead to irritation, inflammation, and swelling, as could any number of repetitive motions, especially in cases where the hand is positioned below the wrist.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
When you visit the specialists at Centro Chiropractic Clinic, the first steps will include discussing your medical history and performing an examination (and possibly testing like x-rays) to formulate a diagnosis. From there, our team of chiropractors and support specialists will devise a personalized treatment plan to alleviate the pain and other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, prevent further damage, and help you regain full use of your hand. This could include not only chiropractic adjustments, but also soft tissue treatments like massage, corrective exercises to improve strength, and lifestyle advice related to ergonomic solutions that could help to prevent further irritation and harm. Best of all, these treatments can be used in concert with other therapies (such as anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery), or possibly as an alternative to pharmaceutical and invasive surgical interventions.
If you suspect you’re developing carpal tunnel syndrome, early diagnosis and treatment can alleviate pain and prevent permanent damage. If you are suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Centro Chiropractic Clinic can help.
Don’t ignore the pain. CALL US TODAY at 503-980-4808