Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of a repetitive use injury caused when the median nerve, which originates in the neck, travels down the arm and crosses the wrist, gets compressed from repeated use of the hands. Often people who work on a computer get carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can also be caused by a pinched nerve in the neck.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Some of the symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling and sometimes weakness in the hands and fingers. As the problem progresses the pain may begin radiating from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder. Your hands may begin to get weak, causing you to drop things that you try to grip in your fingers.
If you have been experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and you do repetitive tasks with your hands, you should see your chiropractor in Springfield, VA as early as possible so that the condition can be corrected quickly.
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options
Your Chiropractor has several techniques that can treat the many causes of numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers from carpal tunnel syndrome, such as cold laser therapy; the Graston technique, which uses a stainless steel instrument in the doctor’s hands to palpitate soft tissues that can’t be done with the human hand alone; and Active Release Techniques, which combines a deep tissue therapy with a hands-on movement to relax tight, muscle spasms, restore range of motion and free pinched nerves to provide relief.
Another treatment option includes spinal decompression therapy, where the patient’s neck is gently stretched but separates the bones in the spine, freeing up pinched nerves and restoring proper alignment.
Prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome
Since the cause of most carpal tunnel injuries is repetitive use, there are several strategies that you can use to prevent damage to the carpal tunnel.
- Sit in a chair where you can rest your arms, and where your back has good support. Your chair should be at a height which allows your wrist to rest comfortably and in a neutral (un-bent) position.
- Use an ergonomic keyboard with a wrist rest, which allows you to hold your wrists in a neutral position while typing.
- A wrist rest on your mouse pad will keep you from flexing your wrist upward and holding that posture while you use the mouse.
- Wearing a brace that holds your wrist in proper position is helpful as well.
- Do regular hand strengthening exercises, squeeze an ergonomic ball and perform stretching exercises.
Vary your tasks when you can throughout the day. Be mindful of how you are holding your hands and stretch throughout the day when you can take breaks.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and Chiropractic care is a good way to find natural, non-invasive treatment options to heal your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
For relief of your carpal tunnel syndrome contact your chiropractor in Springfield at (703) 912-7822 and you are welcome to visit, www.NovaChiroWellness.com, so that you can get back to living a pain-free, vibrant, healthy lifestyle right away.
Good article. I recently thought I had carpal tunnel, but upon further study I found out it was a pinched nerve!!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is definitely one of those things we must avoid. Thanks a lot for posting this one.