Hand in Hand: Navigating the Maze of Pronator vs. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!
Jan 5, 2024 -- Posted by :The median nerve starts from the nerve roots C5-T1 in the cervical spine, joins in the brachial plexus located in the neck and shoulder area, and travels down the arm to the hand through the wrist. Compression or limited movement of the median nerve at any point along its path can lead to symptoms typical of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), such as numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle fingers, and part of the ring finger. To distinguish CTS, where the median nerve is pinched at the wrist, from other conditions like pronator tunnel syndrome (PTS), where the nerve is compressed in the forearm near the elbow, chiropractors start with a detailed patient history.
This initial history helps guide the chiropractor's examination to accurately identify the cause of the symptoms. PTS often presents with symptoms starting near the elbow, like aching and numbness, particularly with activities that involve repetitive elbow bending and forearm/hand twisting (known as supination and pronation) along with strong gripping. While CTS might also cause pain to radiate into the forearm and above the elbow, a distinguishing test for PTS involves applying pressure over the pronator teres muscle for 30 seconds; if this reproduces numbness or tingling in the forearm, hand, and fingers, PTS might be diagnosed instead of CTS.
It’s noteworthy that CTS and PTS can occur simultaneously or alongside median nerve compression at the neck or shoulder, detectable only through comprehensive examination. Highlighting the challenge of correct diagnosis, studies indicate that PTS is misdiagnosed in 32% to 49% of cases. Misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect treatments, such as unsuccessful wrist surgeries.
Chiropractic management of CTS and PTS generally includes a variety of treatments like manual therapies, physiotherapy techniques, dietary advice, nighttime splinting, modifying activities, and exercises to decrease inflammation and improve the median nerve's mobility from the neck to the hand. Since conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and other systemic diseases can exacerbate CTS and PTS, collaboration with other healthcare professionals may be essential for effective management. Early intervention with conservative, non-surgical treatments, including chiropractic care, is crucial for managing both CTS and PTS effectively. Waiting until these conditions worsen may leave surgery as the only option.
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.