Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chiropractic can help symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without drugs or surgery. Many people suffering from CTS also have neck pain which can also be helped. See what our patients have to say about it.
What Is It?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, pain, weakness, tingling or burning of the wrists and/or hands. The carpal tunnel is at the wrist and is made up of 8 wrist bones and a ligament over the back of the wrist called the Retinacular Ligament. The tunnel is about the size of a pencil. Nine tendons and the median nerve must pass through this little tunnel.
CTS is known as a Repetitive Strain Injury because it often arises in the workplace where there is repetitive use of the hands and wrists. An example is a person who uses the mouse repetitively. Other examples include supermarket checkers, assemply line workers, carpenters, cashiers, beauticians etc.
What is the cause?
CTS can occur when one or more of the bones in the wrist
are out of alignment putting pressure on the median nerve.
This interferes with the transmission of the nerve to the hand.
Any contition that causes pressure on the nerve can cause CTS.
Examples are:
- Repetitive movement of the hand.
- Repetitive forceful movements such as hammering.
- Trauma to the wrist
There is also a connection between the neck and the wrist. When there is a neck problem, it can exacerbate the wrist situation.
What can I do?
- See your Chiropractic Biophysics doctor to evaluate your situation.
- Check your workstation. When using the computer, keep elbows at 90 degree angles. Keep wrists straight. Avoid flexing wrists as this compresses the nerve. Avoid craning your neck forward toward the screen. Take mini-breaks every half hour.