How To Treat Carpal Tunnel

Pain, numbness, tingling…these are all telltale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Here’s how to treat carpal tunnel naturally.

 

One of the biggest wellness myths today is that occasional aches and pains are “normal,” when in fact, pain is a signal that the body sends when something is wrong.

The pain from carpal tunnel syndrome is no different.

But just what causes this common (yet mysterious) ailment, and what can you do to relieve your symptoms? Here at Oviedo Chiropractic, we know how to treat carpal tunnel so you can get back to living your normal life—without the side effects of medication and surgery.

Let’s take a deeper dive into this condition.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Your carpal tunnel is a space in your wrist that is surrounded by the transverse carpal ligament and the carpal bones in your wrist. Directly next to this area, is your median nerve.

When pressure is put on the median nerve, you begin to experience the telltale symptoms that we describe as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Any number of things can put pressure on the nerve, but the most common causes are misaligned joints, rheumatoid arthritis, and swelling/inflammation due to overuse. In fact, people who spend much of their time typing on a keyboard are more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome due to the unnatural position of the hand and wrists. (One of the many reasons why an ergonomic workspace is so important.)

Genetics can also cause some people to have a smaller carpal tunnel, making it more likely for them to develop this condition.

 

What Does Carpal Tunnel Feel Like?

The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel are pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the fingers and wrist. Some describe the feeling as being like “pins and needles” or they may describe a burning or tingling sensation.

Because the median nerve provides sensations to all of the fingers (except for the pinky), you may feel these symptoms in your thumb, index, middle, or ring finger.

 

How To Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Traditional treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and wearing a wrist splint to maintain a neutral wrist position. However, both of these methods are meant to relieve symptoms rather than treat the medical condition in the long-term.

For more severe conditions, doctors may recommend carpal tunnel release procedure, which is usually done via endoscopic surgery (i.e. surgery guided by a small camera). During this surgery, the ligament compressing the median nerve is actually cut in half, relieving the pressure and (hopefully) your symptoms.

However, carpal tunnel release surgery may not be effective if the median nerve is being compressed by a bone or inflammation. And, like any surgical procedure, it carries some risk of damaging nerves in the surrounding area.

Fortunately, there are alternative treatments available.

 

Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Chiropractic & Massage Therapy

If you’re hoping to avoid surgery and prescription medications, chiropractic care is an effective alternative.

That’s right! Chiropractors can treat more than just the spine.

By realigning the joints in the wrist, your chiropractor can relieve pressure on the median nerve, reduce inflammation, and improve your range of motion, all without unpleasant side effects.

As a holistic treatment method, chiropractic care aims to treat the source of your condition rather than just your symptoms. The result is total healing from the inside out.

Likewise, massage therapy is also an excellent treatment for carpal tunnel because it helps relieve compression around the nerves and improves circulation, two factors which help reduce inflammation.

 

Conclusion

When pain and discomfort get between you and your daily activities, it can be hard to know where to turn.

Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for wearing a wrist splint or scheduling surgery. Your local chiropractor knows how to treat carpal tunnel without side effects or invasive procedures.

At Oviedo Chiropractic, our staff is dedicated to using the most advanced chiropractic and massage techniques to relieve symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.