Living with Carpal Tunnel Pain?
Take the first step toward relief.
Overview
Up to 6% of people live with the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, making it the most common pain condition to affect the hand. Chiropractic care can relieve the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and prevent permanent nerve damage.
Did you know? Chiropractic care can help prevent nerve damage from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The most common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are:
- Pain. The pain may be sharp or shooting, or radiate into the hand and fingers or up into the arm.
- Tingling or numbness. Pressure on the median nerve can cause tingling and numbness in the fingers or hand, usually the thumb and index, middle or ring fingers. It may feel similar to an electric shock. These symptoms can become constant over time.
- Radiating symptoms. Symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling may radiate from the wrist up into the arm. This is most common with prolonged flexion, such as when gripping your steering wheel and phone. Many people notice that their carpal tunnel pain is worse upon waking.
- Weakness. Many people experience weakness in the hand. It can be common to drop objects due to numbness or weakness of the thumb’s pinching muscles, which are controlled by the median nerve.
Is Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain Chronic Pain?
Doctors categorize pain in these three ways:
- Acute pain: this is pain which comes on suddenly and usually lasts a few days to a few weeks
- Subacute pain: this type of can appear suddenly or over time, and has been present 4 to 12 weeks (about 3 months) at the time of diagnosis
- Chronic pain may come on quickly or slowly, lasts longer than 12-weeks, and occurs daily – to the point of disrupting your life
Chiropractic care is effective for treating pain at all stages – acute, subacute, and even chronic pain.
Common Causes
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Pain?
The carpal tunnel on the palm side of your hand is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome can result from problems in the anatomy of the wrist, health problems, or repetitive hand motions which put pressure on the median nerve which runs through the carpal tunnel.
Could Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of conditions which put pressure on blood vessels or nerves in the space between the neck and shoulder, known as the thoracic outlet. This can cause numbness in the fingers, mimicking Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Before beginning treatment, it’s important to have comprehensive evaluation to properly diagnose your pain.
Risk Factors
Common Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Pain
While Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can happen to anyone, there are several factors that can put you at risk for experiencing carpal tunnel pain.
Accidents & Injuries
Injuries like fractures or dislocation can deform the small bones in the wrist, altering the space within the carpal tunnel.
Anatomic Factors
People who have smaller carpal tunnels may be more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Biological Sex
Women are more likely to experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome than men, possibly because the carpal tunnel area is smaller in women.
Nerve-damaging Conditions
Some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, increase the risk of nerve damage, including damage to the median nerve which causes carpal tunnel pain.
Inflammatory Conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions can affect the lining around the tendons in the wrist.
Other Medical Conditions
Certain conditions, such as thyroid disorders, kidney failure and lymphedema, may increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Medications
Some studies have shown a link between carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of specific cancer treatment drugs.
Pregnancy & Menopause
Fluid retention during pregnancy and menopause may increase pressure within the carpal tunnel, irritating the median nerve.
When to Seek Treatment
When to Seek Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Pain
While we believe all pain should be evaluated, left untreated, the nerve damage of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may become permanent. Consult a doctor if you have signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
At Chiro One, we don’t believe anyone should have to live with pain. If carpal tunnel pain is disrupting your life, chiropractic care from Chiro One can help. Learn more about how we diagnose pain, and what to expect at your first chiropractic appointments.
Tips for Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Relax your grip when holding your phone, steering wheel or performing other activities. If your work involves a keyboard, for example, tap the keys softly. Be mindful of your ergonomics when writing. Try using a pen with an oversized, soft grip adapter and free-flowing ink to allow you to write easily with less force.
Take short, frequent breaks to gently stretch and bend the hands and wrists – especially if you use equipment that vibrates or that requires you to exert force.
Place your keyboard at elbow height or slightly lower, and avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. A relaxed middle position is ideal. Ensure your computer mouse is comfortable and doesn’t strain your wrist.
Improper posture affects the entire body, including the wrist and hands. When you hunch or roll your shoulders forward, you shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing then nerves in your neck. This can affect the wrists, fingers and hands – in addition to causing cause neck pain.
Hand pain and stiffness is more common when working in a cold environment. If you can’t control the temperature of your environment, putting on fingerless gloves can help keep the hands and wrists warm.
“Amazing people and amazing treatment. They listen to what is going on and get down to the root cause of it for true healing. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I definitely recommend coming here.”
– Miranda B.
Find Relief with Help from Chiro One
Chiro One’s gentle chiropractic care delivers strong patient outcomes with exceptional levels of patient satisfaction. Here’s how Chiro One’s non-surgical, drug-free approach effectively treats the leading causes of carpal tunnel pain:
Thorough Upfront Evaluations
To assess your physical health, understand your daily routine and goals
Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments
To relieve pain and improve joint mobility and function
In-Clinic Therapies
To help you build strength, improve your range of motion, flexibility and balance, anddevelop muscle memory for longer lasting results
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain & Chiropractic Care
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