Chiropractic Care For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Everything You Need To Know
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a serious and painful nerve injury that affects many people in the U.S.
“It affects almost 3-6 percent of adults in the U.S., according to the research”
Chiropractic care has become a popular and effective treatment option for patients seeking non-invasive relief from the disease.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs in the median nerve that runs down from the hand to the forearm. A patient experience numbness or pain when the median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel. A carpal tunnel a narrow tunnel in the wrist containing bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occur?
CTS is caused by repetitive movements, such as typing, or repetitive hand movements like assembly line work. Over time, these actions may cause
pain and
injury.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Weaknesses in handling or controlling objects are signs of CTS.
- Numbness and Tingling: The patient will notice numbness or a tingling sensation in the hand or fingers. It occurs on the index, thumb, middle, or ring finger. You may feel an electric shock sensation on these fingers.
- Weakness: You might experience weakness in your hand. It could be due to hand numbness or weakness of the muscles pinching your thumb - which is also controlled by the median nerve.
What Are the Possible Risk Factors For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Anatomical Factors - Wrist fracture, dislocation, or arthritis.
- Inflammatory Conditions - Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Body Fluid Changes - Pregnancy or menopause.
- Nerve Damaging Issues - Chronic diseases like diabetes.
- Medication - like Anastrozole (Arimidex).
- Gender - Generally more common in women.
- Obesity - Obesity is a known risk factor.
- Workplace - Repetitive or prolonged wrist flexing.
Can A Chiropractor Diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A chiropractor can accurately diagnose CTS because he has special expertise in dealing with nerve entrainment syndromes such as 'carpal tunnel syndrome'.
Note: The earlier CTS is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome
Diagnosis includes: Physical Examination, Possibly X-rays
How Does Chiropractor Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Chiropractors provide non-invasive treatment options that can relieve symptoms and improve the function of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Chiropractic care for CTS usually includes treatment of problematic areas of wrists, elbows and upper spine adjustments.
A chiropractor will use ultrasound, laser, shockwave therapy, or more active techniques like nerve gliding – a technique where the chiropractor will train you through a range of motion exercises to improve your mobility.
Based on the severity of the issue, a wrist brace might also be prescribed.
It is strongly recommended to find and diagnose CTS as early as possible to determine the best treatment plan for you
4 Ways Chiropractic Care Help Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Here are four top ways that patients with CTS can benefit from chiropractic care.
1. Chiropractic Care has been Proven to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Studies have given strong results that support the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with CTS. Most participants showed significant improvement on various measures, such as pain relief, agility, and range of motion.
These outcomes provide evidence for patients suffering from CTS.
2. Chiropractic Care Provides an Alternative to Medication
If medical treatment is not an attractive option, the next logical step is to make an appointment with a chiropractor. Regular chiropractic care will ensure that your musculoskeletal system is aligned properly to help your body function optimally.
Wrist Braces - This technique limits hand movements to heal and recover the wrist and tendons.
3. Chiropractors offers Non-Invasive Treatment Options for CTS
Carpal tunnel syndrome, especially conditions that have not been diagnosed or treated for a long time, end up being so painful and advanced that cannot be cured with medications - may face surgery.
However, chiropractic care often helps reduce this option as a last alternative. Regular chiropractic visits can provide positive results in controlling and treating many symptoms of CTS.
4. Chiropractic Care Allows Patients to Learn Deal with CTS Symptoms
Dealing with CTS symptoms can make you feel powerless about your body. With chiropractic help, you can control, relieve, and heal the symptoms of CTS.
It also makes you feel capable of managing and improving your health. With the help of a chiropractor, you will learn to control your symptoms and can better control your body.
What Should You Expect During The Healing Process?
Chiropractic care for CTS can speed up recovery and improve the healing process. Chiropractic treatment can relieve pressure on the median nerve in the cervical spine.
How You Can Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Reduce the force
- Watch your form
- Improve your posture
- Keep your hands warm
- Take short, frequent breaks
- Change computer mouse
Does Massage Therapy Help Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Massage therapy is an effective, non-invasive, inexpensive treatment for long-term relief of CTS.
Massage therapy will help reduce pain, inflammation, and numbness. It is done by lengthening the muscles and fascia in the neck, arms, wrists, hands, and shoulders.
Should Heat or Ice Be Used to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Ice is better than heat in relieving symptoms of CTS because ice numbs the pain and reduces inflammation. While heating increases inflammation, which may put more pressure on the median nerve.
What Exercises Will Help Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Specific exercises can relieve numbness, pain, and other symptoms associated with CTS by reducing pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. These exercises help the median nerve glide through the carpal tunnel, helping to improve the range of motion and function of the hand.
- Wrist flexion stretch
- Wrist extension stretch
- Median nerve glides
Can Yoga Cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Practicing yoga can stretch the body area affected by CTS, including wrists, hands, and forearms.
- Neural Glide
- Strap Hold
- Shoulder Extension
- Mountain Pose at the Wall
- Tennis or Therapy Ball Squeeze
- Savasana with Hands & Arms Supported
How do Lifestyle Changes Help Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In addition to using various holistic health practices to help treat the symptoms associated with CTS, simple lifestyle changes can reduce the chance of symptoms developing.
- Weight loss
- Taking frequent breaks
- Avoiding sleeping on your hands
- Resting the affected hand or wrist for two weeks
Who Is Most At Risk For Developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms?
In most cases, patients between the ages of 50 to 75 or older are diagnosed with CTS. Women are more prone to CTS than men. Other risk factors include pregnancy and jobs that use repetitive hand or wrist movements, such as assembly line workers or hairdressers.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Takeaway
Among all treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome, chiropractic care offers dual benefits of being a highly effective treatment while using non-invasive techniques as compared to other options.
If you or your loved one is suffering from this illness, please
contact us. Family Chiropractic Plus is here to help you!
If you don’t have an amazing chiropractor
Contact us today!
Family Chiropractic Plus is dedicated to your overall health and well-being, which is why we offer regular
chiropractic adjustments in order to restore your body’s natural state of
optimal health, while also providing it with the support it needs to heal from any injury, big or small.
