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Get a Grip: How Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Donna Stark

Get-a-Grip-How-Chiropractic-Care-Can-Help-Your-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome

You're just about finished typing the report due tomorrow or finishing the last bit of carpentry work for the day when it happens. The pins and needles, the burning, the itching, and the nagging lack of strength. Living with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can feel like the start of a bad storm.

At first, it may not seem serious, but as the condition worsens, its darkness can become damaging, and your body begins to feel its toll. Pain may become an everyday occurrence, disrupting your work, your play, and your sleep. It may even take on the personality of that raging storm tearing through your neighborhood, intensifying with each passing minute.

But just as storms eventually blow over and the sun returns, there’s hope for those living with this condition. Although it may not feel like it during the moment, carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t a storm you must face alone. With the proper care, relief is possible, and it won’t be long before you can experience sunnier days again. You need to know where to find shelter from the storm.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

We need to learn anatomy before we can understand carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve passes through a small tunnel called the carpal tunnel in the wrist. On top of this tunnel sits the transverse carpal ligament. When the hand or wrist is used repeatedly over an extended period, this ligament can become irritated and swollen, causing pressure on the median nerve. When this occurs, a person may develop carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can become debilitating, affecting the wrist, hand, and fingers and quality of life. Look for the following symptoms.

  • Tingling and burning sensations
  • Weakness/loss of strength in the hand and wrist
  • Numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
  • The sensation of having swollen fingers, even if they aren’t
  • Pain that travels to your shoulder
  • Less coordination (you drop things more)
  • Inability to manipulate small things, like buttons or snaps
  • Difficulty with making a fist
  • Loss of function with certain muscles in the hand

For most people, carpal tunnel syndrome will get worse over time. It can cause permanent nerve damage and the eventual loss of function in the hand, so don't put off seeking help. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.

Which professions are more likely to cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

People whose careers involve repetitive hand and wrist movements are particularly vulnerable to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Do you fit into any of these categories?

  • Construction - Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and roofers
  • Manufacturing - Assembly line workers, packagers, and heavy machinery operators
  • Food service - Waiters, cooks, bakers, and bartenders
  • Beauty and personal care - Hair stylists, cosmetologists, and estheticians
  • Computer-related - Programmers, data entry clerks, and writers
  • Healthcare - Dental hygienists, dentists, nurses, and surgeons
  • Entertainment - Professional athletes, artists, and musicians

The constant wrist position and hand motions these jobs require will often place pressure on the median nerve, leading to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. But jobs aren’t the only thing that contributes to it. Arthritis, pregnancy, diabetes, and previous wrist injuries are risk factors for this condition, too.

How to treat carpal tunnel syndrome

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome depends on how severe it is. If you catch it early, conservative treatments can often do the trick. Chiropractic care might be a solid option—adjustments can help relieve pressure on the median nerve, giving your wrists a break. Wrist splinting is another go-to, keeping your wrist neutral (especially while you sleep) to prevent further irritation. Then, there are stretches like the prayer stretch, designed to ease tension and improve mobility.

If things progress to a moderate stage, you might need to bring in the bigger guns—anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling. And when it’s severe, where permanent nerve damage becomes a real risk, carpal tunnel surgery might be on the table to release that pressure once and for all. Whatever the case, getting ahead of it with the proper treatment can make all the difference.

How can chiropractic care help?

Chiropractic care is an all-natural approach that promotes proper wrist position and effectively and efficiently addresses carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. It may help relieve pain by reducing pressure and nerve irritation, decreasing inflammation, improving joint function, increasing blood circulation, and enhancing mobility without prescription medication, uncomfortable injections, or invasive procedures. It can also pinpoint and target the other areas of the body that may be contributing to or exacerbating the symptoms you are experiencing.

Dr. Steven Knauf, the VP of chiropractic and compliance for The Joint Chiropractic, notes the importance of chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome. “Go to a chiropractor to get evaluated,” he says. “With carpal tunnel, there can be a buildup of tension on a nerve in other areas of the body, such as your shoulder or elbow, that contributes to the tingling. Where you hurt may not be where it’s coming from.”

Your chiropractor may also recommend lifestyle and work modifications that can help improve your comfort levels. These may include switching to an ergonomic keyboard, using a vertical mouse, investing in an ergonomic mouse pad to support your wrist, wearing fingerless gloves to keep your hands and wrists warm, and improving your posture.

When is it time to seek help?

Suppose you're experiencing persistent symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome that affect your ability to participate in or complete daily activities or that worsen at night. In that case, it's time to consult a healthcare provider. Remember, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause significant and permanent damage if it’s not treated early enough, so don’t wait until your “storm” becomes unmanageable.

However, addressing carpal tunnel syndrome isn't just about treating existing symptoms—it's also about prevention and long-term management. You may even be able to avoid it with a few proactive steps.

Routine chiropractic care at The Joint Chiropractic may be your ticket to less pain, faster recovery, and better function—all while boosting your overall health and wellness. With extended hours and clinics nationwide, getting back to your favorite activities has never been easier. Whether it’s a nagging ache or a storm of pain, the doctors at The Joint are your shelter, helping you take control of your body and, ultimately, your life. It’s time to feel better, move better, and live better.

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