Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Sydrome Explained:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive and sometimes quite painful joint disorder caused by a compression of the median nerve of your hand. The median nerve passes between tendons and underneath ligaments on the palmar side of the hand. The repetitive irritation, or compression, causes swelling and exerts pressure on the nerves.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common sources of wrist pain. Some people who develop carpel tunnel find it difficult and painful to rotate their wrist, or move their hand up or down or from side to side. Carpal tunnel is more common among people who make the same wrist movements over and over (as in sewing, painting, and writing), using a computer, and playing racquetball or handball. Diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy, and obesity also have been linked with carpal tunnel.

Symptoms:

  • Soreness and Pain (may be more severe at night)
  • Numbness, Tingling or Burning Sensations
  • Loss of Grip Strength
  • Decreased Instrinsic Muscle Tone and Weakness

Chiropractors assess and treat the wrist through gentle treatments to the joint so that the nerve can glide and move more easily without causing inflammation. In order to truly fix carpal tunnel syndrome, it's important to find the origin of the nerve compression. in these case, chiropractors also often assess the elbow, shouler and neck in order to allow the entire nerve pathway to be free of irritation for long-term health.

Once compression on the median nerve begins to ease. Work ergonomics plays a an important role in joint health as well. Often our patients ask, "how do I sit properly?"

The American Chiropractic Association Says...

  • Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don't reach the floor.
  • Don't cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
  • Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
  • Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
  • Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
  • Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
  • Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

Other causes of wrist pain include:

  • Arthritis (joint inflammation), including osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease).
  • Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa, the small sac containing fluid that lies between tendons and bones).
  • Fracture or other injury.
  • Gout (a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of the build-up of uric acid in the body and the joint fluid).
  • Muscle sprain or strain.
  • Tendonitis (irritation of a muscle tendon, which is the rope-like muscle that attaches to the bone).

Interested in learning more about carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options from Advanced Physical Health?
Call our Columbia, MO office at (573) 446-2242 for more information.

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