Non-Surgical Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Synrome
While most people associate chiropractors with back pain, there are many other reasons why you may want to visit a chiropractor.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (also known as CTS) affects the wrists & hands and is believed to result from repetitive motion. CTS has become more common today due to the extensive and daily use of computer keyboards, for example.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Synrome
People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may experience numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in their wrists and/or hands. More severe versions of CTS can actually prevent someone from properly grasping objects in their hands.
CTS can affect one or both hands. When left untreated, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may cause permanent damage to the hand or thumb.
A person will experience CTS when their median nerve becomes compressed in the carpal tunnel. The carpel tunnel is a narrow tunnel located in the wrist which is made up of bones & nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. The compression of this tunnel will cause weakness, pain, and/or numbness in the hand(s) or wrist(s). This feeling can radiate all the way up into the forearm(s) as well.
In addition to computer keyboards and the repetitive motion of working on one all day long, several other things that can trigger Carpal Tunnel Syndome are:
- Wrist injuries
- Diabetes
- An over active pituitary gland
- Fluid retention which can occur during pregnancy or menopause
- Repetitive use of vibrating hand tools
- Hypothyroidism inflammatory arthritis
Relieving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
While surgery for CTS is one of the most common types of surgery performed in the US, surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not always effective in relieving symptoms. Since there are many other conditions with similar symptoms to CTS, misdiagnosis is one reason why surgery may be unsuccessful.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs in the median nerve which runs from the forearm down into your hand. This median nerve originates in the cervical spine. Your chiropractor can investigate and locate any potential interference in your spinal vertebrae that may be causing compression of these nerves.
Why Chiropractic for CTS
Your chiropractor's goal is to relieve your pain and avoid medication or surgery. As opposed to invasive surgery, chiropractic treatment for CTS may include gentle chiropractic joint manipulation of the wrist, elbow, and/or cervical spine. In some cases, mobilization of the wrist and/or hand can also be helpful in relieving the symptoms and allowing healing to begin.
Also offered as part of chiropractic treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is laser therapy. Laser therapy is a painless and very effective treatment for CTS.
Low-power laser therapy is widely used for physical treatment in the following situations:
- Muscle pain
- Soft tissue pain
- Wound surgery
- Orthopedics
- Neuralgia
- Trauma pain
Your chiropractor can utilize low-power laser beams to treat your Carpal Tunnel Synrome.
Benefits of Laser Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Diminishes inflammation
- Relieves pain
- Improves blood circulation
- Promotes cell regeneration
- Induces biological stimulation
- Regulates immune functions
Also recommended for CTS are the following:
- Hand and wrist stretching and strengthening exercises
- Soft-tissue mobilization techniques
- Yoga has also been found to be helpful for CTS
With treatment, complete recovery from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is possible. CTS should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. A standard examination by your chiropractor can determine if the symptoms are connected to daily activities or an underlying disorder.
For more information on how ANSH Chiropractic and Dr. Neemisha Desai can assist with your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, please contact us today. ANSH Chiropractic services Metuchen and Edison, New Jersey and the surrounding areas of Middlesex County, NJ.