Cutting to the Chase: Is Surgery the Only Solution for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Oct 16, 2023 -- Posted by :Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) stands as the most prevalent form of peripheral entrapment neuropathy, signifying it's the most common condition in which a nerve in the extremities, namely the arms or legs, becomes compressed. CTS impacts approximately 6-11% of adults in the general population, with a higher occurrence in women than in men. While determining the exact cause is often challenging, common contributing factors encompass trauma, repetitive movements, specific medical conditions, pregnancy, age exceeding 50, and obesity.
So, does surgery represent the sole solution? The concise response is NO! In fact, a recent randomized clinical trial featured in the Journal of Pain revealed comparable enhancements in functionality when comparing the results of patients who underwent surgical procedures with those who received manual therapies—such as those routinely administered at chiropractic clinics worldwide. These improvements included increased strength, functionality, and reduced hypersensitivity in both the surgical and non-surgical cohorts. Interestingly, the manual therapy group displayed even BETTER outcomes at the one and three-month evaluations when contrasted with the surgical group, with no disparity at the six and twelve-month marks.
The median nerve, the culprit behind CTS, starts in the neck and travels down through the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and finally through the carpal tunnel, which is made up of eight small carpal bones that form the arch of the bridge. Entrapment of the median nerve occurs when the normally tight quarters within the carpal tunnel combine with the inflamed nine sheathed muscle tendons that push the nerve into the floor of the tunnel (a ligament), which results in CTS! The goal of therapy—both surgical and manual therapy—is to reduce the pressure within the tunnel and free up the compression of the median nerve.
Manual therapies focus on joint mobilization and manipulation to reduce joint fixations, muscle release techniques in the forearm and hand, stretching techniques, and at-home exercises that emphasize a similar stretch, the night brace, and management of any underlying contributing factor. These “underlying factors” might include diabetes, hypothyroid, taking birth control pills, weight management, and inflammatory arthritis.
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 or chiropractor 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 and who can help near you?
You may have a “funny feeling like a numbness frequently called paresthesia. Even a handshake may be painful or weak. Some people around your area 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.
You may want to see a study on chiropractic effectiveness for carpal tunnel such as this one:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8046280/
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 in your area.
If you would like to avoid getting carpal tunnel in the first place or to take a proactive approach to your health and wellness nearby, 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.
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Call me, Dr. Tim Harcourt, at Coast Chiropractic Centers 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.