What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Anatomy Lesson

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. The median nerve runs from the armpit down the arm through the elbow and wrist to the hand through this tunnel. The problem occurs when the median nerve is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist or along the path. Like all Syndromes, there’s more than one cause. The compression can derive from anywhere along the arm that leads to swelling of the muscles and tendons or narrowing of the tunnel.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Patients can experience problems in either hand or both. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms usually start gradually and include:

• Weakness when gripping objects
• Pain or numbness
• “Pins and needles” feeling in the fingers.
• Swollen fingers
• Burning or tingling in the fingers

These symptoms often occur while holding a steering wheel, or phone, or may wake you from sleep.

Causes of Carpel Tunnel – Who gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Many times, there is no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. It may be that a combination of risk factors contributes to the development of the condition.

• Traumatic wrist Injury
• A wrist fracture or dislocation
• Arthritis affecting bones in the wrist
• Smaller wrist sizes often in women
• Conditions
• Nerve-damaging conditions (diabetes)
• Inflammatory conditions (Rheumatoid arthritis)
• Workplace factors
• Repetitive wrist movements (hair stylist)
• Working with vibrating tools or on an assembly line
• Prolonged computer use especially mouse
• Repetitive stress on hands and wrists

When to seek treatment?

For most patients, it gets worse over time. DO NOT WAIT.

Treatment

Our providers will determine the cause of the inflammation and create a treatment plan utilizing chiropractic, PT, laser and dry needling. Proper treatment usually relieves the tingling and numbness and restores wrist and hand function. With the ultimate goal of preventing the condition form retuning and avoiding surgery. No one has time for wrist injuries and it is not like you can just not use your hand all day.