Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when median nerve, a nerve that controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and first three fingers is compressed. When the median nerve becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist due to irritated tendons or similar swelling, it results in pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist which radiates up the arm.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms usually start gradually with frequent burning, tingling or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers especially the thumb, index and middle fingers. Fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent.
The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to “shake out” the hand or wrist.
As symptoms worsen, might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may deteriorate.
How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?
Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least two weeks.
Avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms. Immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending.
Chiropractic Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Include:
- Adjusting the wrist, arm, and upper spine: Misalignment in the spine could contribute to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractor perform adjustments or spinal manipulations that aim to correct improper alignment of the joint.
- Ultrasound therapy: This therapy uses either very high-energy or low-energy sound, both of which are outside the range of normal human hearing. Ultrasound can relax tendon, alleviate pain, and reduce inflammation.
- Wrist supports: Wrist supports seek to keep the wrist in the proper alignment and can be used to treat or prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Cold laser therapy: The increase in intra-cellular energy results in altered cell membrane permeability and physiological changes occur through an enzyme cascade which affects several biological processes. Within the injured musculoskeletal tissue, low-level laser light initiates increased microcirculation and enhanced tissue regeneration. The overall effects are decreased pain and inflammation, and increased range of motion.