Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve – which runs from the forearm through the palm – becomes compressed. This condition is often experienced in the form of a painful, numbing, or tingling sensation in hand. The thing is, anyone can experience it, but it’s more common in women, especially those who are pregnant and those who perform tasks that require repetitive movements of the wrist and fingers.
The Known Symptoms
Other than that, it is also known as CTS and is a common cause of intermittent and chronic pain in the wrists and hands. To be more specific, the median nerve, which is a nerve of the hand and forearm, becomes compressed as it passes through a narrow channel in the wrist, called the carpal tunnel, causing pain. Other symptoms may include:
- Pain in the hand, wrist, and fingers
- Pain that worsens at night or while sleeping
- Weakness of the hand and fingers
- Numbness or loss of sensation in the hand and fingers
- Clumsiness, dropping things
CTS is often diagnosed by physical examination and symptoms. It may also be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, splints, and surgery. The surgery is a procedure called needle decompression, in which a needle is placed into the carpal tunnel to loosen the ligaments that are squeezing the nerve.
A Basic, Yet, Efficient Approach
The chiropractic approach to the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is two-fold: firstly, to help restore normal range of motion in the wrist, and secondly, to restore normal nerve function.
Management of carpal tunnel syndrome is often considered as a collaboration of means. In this case, it is an approach between the medical and the chiropractic professions.
Studies have been done on several complementary and alternative medicine techniques for its treatment. However, some studies have also shown chiropractic treatment to reduce its symptoms.
The Limited Range of Treatment
The use of chiropractic management for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is not widely used for the following reasons:
- Some chiropractors are not well trained in the area of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- There is a lack of awareness of carpal tunnel syndrome chiropractic management in the medical profession.
- A medical consultation is recommended prior to the chiropractic management of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- A lack of understanding regarding the primary cause of some of its symptoms.
- There is a lack of demand for this type of treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Many chiropractors who practice in the field of carpal tunnel syndrome do not have the required training.
There are several shortcomings to the chiropractic approach to the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, for example:
- Some chiropractors who practice in the field of carpal tunnel syndrome do not follow the recommended method of care.
- Some chiropractors who practice in the field of carpal tunnel syndrome do not possess the required level of education.
Conclusion
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful yet treatable condition. The chiropractic approach to its treatment is both safe and effective when performed by a trained specialist. Other than that, a medical consultation is recommended prior to the use of chiropractic management of the condition. This is because it is important to be diagnosed correctly; otherwise, you may get the wrong type of treatment for it, making matters worse.
If you are looking to undergo safe carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, look no further than the trained and experienced expertise of our surgeons here at North Florida Hand and Wrist. We are expertly-trained hand and wrist surgeons who are committed to providing patients with the absolute best care possible, using our state-of-the-art surgical facility. Book an appointment with us today and let us tend to your CTS in no time.
