Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

As a Chiropractor here in Charlotte NC I see all types of conditions and problems.  One of them is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome characterized as pain and or numbness in the hands and fingers.  The condition is best described as pressure to the median nerve.  The median nerve runs from the spinal cord in the neck area down to the fingers of both hands.  Pressure from this nerve can stem from the wrist, the neck, or a combination of both.  Wrist pressure on this nerve comes from a tightening of the forearm muscles causing inflammation to the tendons that enter the hand through the carpal tunnel thus compressing the nerve.  When the pressure comes from a pinched nerve in your neck it is usually because of a vertebrae that is not positioned or not moving properly.  When the median nerve becomes compressed, it causes the person to feel any variation of numbness, tingling, weakness, and/or pain.

After testing to see where the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is originating we start working with the patient.  Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has to be a combined effort between the doctor and the patient.  Successful treatment of this condition includes a combination of therapies dependent upon where the problem is originating, how long it’s been present, and how severe the problem is.  Therapies often include some combination of neck adjustment, wrist adjustment, muscle work, stretching, electric stimulation, bracing, traction, and exercises.