Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand, the median nerve, is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.

Your carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located in the wrist. This “tunnel” allows for the median nerve, which extends from the spine to the hand, to pass through. Any swelling of the carpal tunnel can cause compression on the median nerve, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome and potentially cutting off or limiting feeling and movement to portions of the hand. Women are three times as prone to developing the condition as men. Experts are unsure why women are more likely to get CTS, but it’s suspected it may be due to the smaller size of most women’s carpal tunnel.

It’s recommended that you seek out non-invasive treatments first if you suspect CTS.  Organizations such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and the University of Maryland Medical Center list chiropractic as an alternative treatment for CTS.

The median nerve originates in the cervical spine. A chiropractor can investigate and locate any potential interference in your spinal vertebrae that may be causing compression of the nerves. Chiropractic methods of treatment can include gentle manipulation of the wrist, elbow and cervical spine.

Left untreated, the syndrome can cause permanent damage to the hand or thumb. If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, a consultation with Dr. Papuga may kick-start the healing process and potentially prevent an unnecessary surgery.