What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as CTS, is a common and often painful condition affecting wrists and hands. It is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, burning, tingling, and even weakness in the hands and fingers.
The most common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, burning, and numbness in the fingers and hands. This pain can be intense and may worsen with activity. Other symptoms can include weakness or loss of coordination in the hands, the ability to make a fist, and swelling in the hands or wrists.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is based on the principle of spinal manipulation. This involves using specific force to adjust the spine's joints to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and improve function. It is a holistic approach to healthcare and emphasizes the importance of taking a proactive approach to health and wellness.
Chiropractic care is often used to treat neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, knee pain, and other musculoskeletal complaints. The chiropractor will use various techniques such as adjustments, mobilization, and soft tissue therapy to reduce pain, improve function, and provide relief. A chiropractor may also prescribe exercises and lifestyle modifications to improve overall health.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There is no definitive cause of CTS. Three primary factors can lead to its development: repetitive motion, pressure on the nerves, and structural issues. Let’s take a closer look at each of these causes of CTS.
A. Repetitive Motion
One of the primary causes of CTS is repetitive motion. This can include tasks like typing, using a computer mouse, driving, and other activities that involve frequent and repeated use of the hands and wrists. Doing the same movement over and over again can cause inflammation of the tissues around the median nerve in the wrist, leading to compression and CTS.
B. Pressure on the Nerves
Another primary cause of CTS is increased pressure on the median nerve. This can occur due to a wrist fracture or sprain or even swelling due to arthritis or other inflammatory conditions. In some cases, poor posture and sleeping with the wrist bent can also cause pressure on the median nerve, leading to compression and CTS.
C. Structural Issues
Finally, structural issues with the wrist can also contribute to CTS. This can include deformities like a ganglion cyst or even an extra carpal bone in the wrist. These structural issues can lead to a narrowing of the carpal tunnel, which in turn can compress the median nerve and cause CTS.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your chiropractor can assess if issues with your cervical or higher spine contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in you. If such were the case, chiropractic care would concentrate on reducing nerve pressure. Chiropractic care may involve soft wrist or elbow manipulation if your symptoms are caused by stress at the carpal tunnel. Massage therapy can also be used. It is a non-invasive, effective, and cost-efficient treatment for long-term relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chiropractic is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a safe, non-invasive approach that can relieve pain and other carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Visiting Abundant Health Chiropractor is an excellent option if you suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Our experienced team of practitioners can provide comprehensive care and treatment to help you find relief from the pain and discomfort of this condition.