Carpal tunnel syndrome is a health condition in which a person may experience tingling, numbness, pain, weakness, or other discomfort in the fingers, wrists, hands, and forearms. These symptoms can be very uncomfortable, however, conservative therapy is available that can improve the problem and restore hands and wrists to normal. This article reviews the causes and effective treatments that will prevent this condition from affecting a person's lifestyle.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow groove on the palm side of the wrist made up of eight small bones called the carpal bones. This opening is a conduit that contains the tendons that bend most fingers in and an important nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is pinched, pain and numbness result, and may eventually cause the hands to weaken. Tingling and numbness are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or pen or pencil. Progression of the condition could lead to constant feeling of numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder or from the wrist down into the palm or fingers. This commonly occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands begin feeling weak, the individual may drop items frequently. Anything that compresses, crowds, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition. This includes rheumatoid arthritis or a wrist fracture.
An accumulation of factors may cause development of the condition. Among these are repetitive use of vibrating tools or prolonged flexion of the wrist as occurs with work on an assembly line. Also those who send a lot of time at a computer may especially be at risk.
Often there is an association between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel through the neck area to exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can have symptoms that mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a chiropractor, the health care professional examines both the neck and wrists and administers safe, drug-free, and nonsurgical treatments to the appropriate areas.
Resting frequently and applying cold packs to wrists may relieve the mildest symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that supports the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper body may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no sure means to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome but non-use of the hands and wrists periodically, reducing extreme wrist movement, and limiting force when performing tasks involving the hands may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to the chiropractic doctor is a suggested step. A chiropractor is a logical specialist to see for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow groove on the palm side of the wrist made up of eight small bones called the carpal bones. This opening is a conduit that contains the tendons that bend most fingers in and an important nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is pinched, pain and numbness result, and may eventually cause the hands to weaken. Tingling and numbness are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or pen or pencil. Progression of the condition could lead to constant feeling of numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder or from the wrist down into the palm or fingers. This commonly occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands begin feeling weak, the individual may drop items frequently. Anything that compresses, crowds, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition. This includes rheumatoid arthritis or a wrist fracture.
An accumulation of factors may cause development of the condition. Among these are repetitive use of vibrating tools or prolonged flexion of the wrist as occurs with work on an assembly line. Also those who send a lot of time at a computer may especially be at risk.
Often there is an association between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel through the neck area to exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can have symptoms that mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a chiropractor, the health care professional examines both the neck and wrists and administers safe, drug-free, and nonsurgical treatments to the appropriate areas.
Resting frequently and applying cold packs to wrists may relieve the mildest symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that supports the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper body may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no sure means to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome but non-use of the hands and wrists periodically, reducing extreme wrist movement, and limiting force when performing tasks involving the hands may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to the chiropractic doctor is a suggested step. A chiropractor is a logical specialist to see for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
About the Author:
Philip Bud Bollen is an author writing about how to be healthy. Would you like more information regarding a Pittsburgh chiropractor? More information regarding a Pittsburgh chiropractor can be found at this website http://www.northhillspachiropractor.com.
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