Your wrist's eight bones create a U-shaped channel that contains your median nerve and a number of tendons. The Carpal tunnel is the name given to this channel. Sensation on the palm side of your first three and a half fingers is controlled by your median nerve. "Carpal tunnel syndrome" is the result of compression or irritation of this nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. Three to five percent of the general population suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome, the most prevalent nerve entrapment.

​

Prolonged wrist flexion and/or repetitive wrist motions, such as those involved in assembly line work, carpentry, or keyboard use, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition may also worsen if exposed to cold or vibration. Although it usually affects both hands, carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in the dominant hand. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholism, kidney disease, and obesity are some risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently brought on by fluid retention during pregnancy.

​

Numbness, tingling, or discomfort on the palm side of your thumb, index, middle, and half of your ring fingers are signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Occasionally, the pain may radiate to your elbow. The symptoms can develop into a persistent annoyance, but they typically start out as discomfort at night or waking up with numb hands. Gripping activities like reading a paper, driving, or painting are probably making your symptoms worse. "Shaking your hands out" may help alleviate your symptoms in the early stages. Sometimes you might feel as though your hands are swollen or constricted. Weakness in the hands may develop in more severe cases.

​

Compression at a second or third site frequently occurs in conjunction with compression of your median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This is referred to by researchers as "double crush syndrome." For carpal tunnel syndrome, the spine or the muscles in your neck, shoulder, and forearm are common "double crush" partners.

​

You should refrain from doing pushups and other exercises that require repetitive wrist flexion in order to help heal your condition. Grasping your bicycle's handlebars will probably aggravate your condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause irreversible nerve damage if treatment is not received. Before considering surgical options, the American Academy of Neurology advises conservative treatment, such as the kind offered in our office.

​

Here at Performance Sport & Spine, chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, and corrective exercise have helped many Quincy residents who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. Every patient is treated individually because every person is different. Our general strategy for treating carpal tunnel syndrome is outlined below.
 

• Reduce pain and inflammation. This can be accomplished with laser therapy, gentle soft tissue work, and kinesiology taping.

• Loosen the joints of the neck and wrist. Chiropractic adjustments are effective at restoring proper mobility in stuck joints, which can decrease carpal tunnel pain.

• Corrective exercise and stretches help restore balance and alignment in the body to help ease pain and prevent it from recurring.

​

If you live in or around the Quincy area and are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, click here to work with our team and begin finding relief.