Chiropractic and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist, such as typing.  When the wrist is poorly positioned, there isn’t enough space for the median nerve to travel to the hand.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure exerted on the median nerve at the point where it passes through the wrist.  The median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb-side of the ring finger.  It also supplies movement to part of the hand. The nerve enters the hand between the wrist bones (called the carpal bones) and the tough membrane that holds the bones together (the transverse carpal ligament).  This space is called the carpal tunnel.  Since the passageway is rigid, any swelling in this area can cause compression of the nerve (this is also called entrapment of the nerve).

Chiropractic looks at the functionality of the joints in the hand and looks to relieve nerve pressure that may be put on the median nerve from a misaligned carpal bone, usually the lunate has fallen  and puts pressure on the median nerve directly.  The Brachial Plexus, bunch of nerves that runs down our arms, may also be to blame and this can be through a spinal misalignment usually in the lower neck to upper back.  Through the Chiropractic adjustment we restore the joint back to its proper motion allowing for proper nerve flow to the hand/arm and naturally heal itself.

If you know someone who suffers with this problem, then you should refer them to Brusveen Chiropractic Clinic for a complete exam and consult.  We have a high success rate with cases like this and the earlier found the better.    

~ Dr. Kellen Brusveen