Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when pressure is applied to the median nerve as it passes through the wrist resulting in symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness. Outside of an emergency leading to a sudden onset of such symptoms—like a broken wrist—surgery is rarely advised as a first-line treatment. In general, treatment guidelines recommend exhausting all non-surgical options before consulting a surgeon. So, what happens when a patient consults a doctor of chiropractic for CTS?
First, the patient completes paperwork regarding their current symptoms and their health history. The information provided will inform the doctor about the chronicity, frequency, and intensity of the patient’s symptoms. The history may also reveal conditions that are known to contribute to an elevated risk for CTS such as diabetes, birth control pill usage, pregnancy, hypothyroid, etc.
Next, the doctor of chiropractic will conduct a thorough examination, with added focus on the course of the median nerve. The median nerve arises from the spinal cord in the neck as nerve roots travel down through the shoulder, past the elbow, and through the wrist. If the nerve is compressed anywhere along this route, a patient may experience CTS-like symptoms, so it’s important to locate where the nerve is “pinched” in order to ensure the best chance for a positive outcome. To complicate matters, the median nerve may be compressed at several points, a condition referred to as double crush or multiple crush syndrome. Not only that, but the median nerve isn’t the only nerve that supplies sensation to the hand. When entrapped, the ulnar and radial nerves can also produce symptoms in the hand and these symptoms can be mistaken for CTS by the layperson because it’s the most commonly known peripheral neuropathy.
Once all the potential contributing factors to the patient’s hand and wrist symptoms are identified, the doctor of chiropractic will recommend a course of treatment that may involve manipulation, mobilization, therapeutic exercises, modalities, wrist splinting, and even dietary recommendations, depending on the patient’s unique situation. The goal is to reduce pressure on the median nerve by restoring normal motion in the affected joints, as well as in reducing inflammation that may be present from a variety of causes.
While patients with more severe cases of CTS can benefit from non-surgical approaches, like chiropractic care, it’s important to note that it may take longer for such patients to experience improvements in pain and disability, and it may not be possible to totally reverse the course of the disease if it has progressed too far. As with many conditions, the sooner a patient seeks care, the greater their chance for achieving a successful outcome.
So, if you are experiencing pain in my wrist (yours), numbness or paresthesia, hand weakness, and carpal tunnel symptoms and you type in pain management near me, you may find Coast Chiropractic Centers with Dr. Timothy Harcourt, me, comes up.
You may wonder, “Do I need an MRI scan of my neck or wrist.”?
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
You may have a “funny feeling like a numbness frequently called paresthesia. Even a handshake may be painful or weak. Some people have prescribed chemicals that may temporarily reduce the numbness but not fixing the problem. The numbing in the fingers can be annoying and even debilitating.
Also, if you feel arm pain it may indicate things are getting worse and may indicate a bulge on the disc or worse yet a herniated disc in your neck. Persistent or worsening pain intensity and/or frequency necessitates a visit to see a professional.
If you would like to avoid getting carpal tunnel in the first place or to take a proactive approach to your health and wellness, our membership program called Club C may be just the thing for you with great cost savings, convenience, and even more importantly, a plan to get your health back and keep it.
Call me, Dr. Tim Harcourt, at (239) 278-3344 and mention this article for an awesome discounted first visit to include history, exam, and adjustment or Class IV high-intensity laser treatment.
Discover how chiropractic care complements holistic wellness,…
Discover how chiropractic care can help manage pain and discomfort…
Discover the truth about chiropractic care by debunking common myths.…
Learn how chiropractic care enhances balance and stability by…
Discover the benefits of chiropractic care for children, offering safe…
Reducing or eliminating the pain-causing mechanisms such as pinched…
At Coast Chiropractic, one of the most beneficial therapies we offer…
"Graston Technique® is a unique, evidence-based form of…