Home Blog Chiropractic Physician At Coast Chiropractic Centers In Fort Myers, Dr. Timothy Harcourt Discusses The Research On Factors That Can Hinder Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Recovery

Chiropractic Physician At Coast Chiropractic Centers In Fort Myers, Dr. Timothy Harcourt Discusses The Research On Factors That Can Hinder Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Recovery

Jan 6, 2022 -- Posted by : Dr.Harcourt

As with most musculoskeletal conditions, treatment guidelines for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) recommend non-surgical or conservative management initially, with surgery only in emergency situations or after non-surgical options are exhausted. So, is there a way to know who will respond best to non-surgical approaches?

To answer this, researchers conducted a two-stage study that included an initial evaluation followed by non-surgical treatment and a re-evaluation one year after non-surgical treatment concluded. The primary goal of the study was to assess factors contributing to the long-term effects of non-surgical treatment of CTS and to identify failure risk factors.

The study involved 49 subjects diagnosed with CTS, of which an occupational cause was identified in 37 (76%). Because some patients had CTS in both hands (bilateral CTS), a total of 78 hands/wrists were included in the study. Treatment included a total of ten sessions of whirlpool massage to the wrist and hand, ultrasound, and median nerve glide exercises performed at home. The subjects were divided into three age groups: under 50, 51-59, 60 or more years old.

While most patients experienced significant improvement in both stages of the study, some did not. Patients with more severe cases, as evidenced by poor results on a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test, were less likely to respond to care, which underscores the importance of seeking care for CTS as soon as symptoms develop. Furthermore, participants who continued to overuse their hands at work or who did not modify their work procedures or workstation to reduce the forces applied on the hands and wrist were less likely to report significant improvements at the one-year point. Interestingly, age was not found to be a significant risk factor, which is surprising, as past studies have reported that being age over 50 is a risk factor.

Not only are doctors of chiropractic trained in the same non-surgical treatment methods used in this study, but they can combine such approaches with nutritional counseling (to reduce inflammation) and manual therapies to improve function in the wrist and other sites along the course of the median nerve to achieve the best possible results for their patients.

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 or stop by on your day off for a walk in visit and  mention this article for an awesome discounted first visit to include history, exam, and adjustment or Class IV high-intensity laser treatment.

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