This condition is a painful compression of a nerve in the wrist that can interfere with a person’s ability to use the wrist and hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition that can worsen without proper care.

What is carpal tunnel, and what is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The Carpal Tunnel (or carpal canal) in a human hand consists of small bones and connective tissue forming a tunnel which connects the forearm with the deep of the palm. The median nerve and several tendons pass through this tunnel. The tunnel is quite narrow under healthy conditions, but sufficient to allow comfortable housing to the median nerve and the tendons. It is possible, however, for a tendon to swell up for a number of reasons such as injury or degeneration. When this happens the nerve gets compressed, causing numbness, pain, or tingling in the thumb, the index finger, and possibly the thumb, side of the middle finger, along with inability to grab. That condition is called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

How do I know I am suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome?

The symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, or some or all of the three. The symptoms grow gradually, and occur more during the night. Pain, numbness, or tingling may go and come, or reduce in intensity, but will return. Gradually, the gap may decrease and the problem may become permanent. The patient tends to lose strength in his her grip of the affected hand, and over a period of time, muscular atrophy (wasting away of the muscle) may occur at the base of the hand. In most cases, both hands get affected with the passage of time.

Why should one get the carpal tunnel syndrome?

It is quite common. Nearly one in every twenty persons in the United States suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome. The start is usually in adulthood. Females are more prone to this problem. It can come because of trauma (accidental squeezing of the median nerve, or damage to one of the tendons passing the tunnel along with the nerve. It can also come over time due to excessive repetitive movement of the wrist as in typing. Hence, people engaged in keyboard work are more likely suffer it as also are badminton and tennis players, or players of any game involving repeated wrist action. People who are required to use hand tools with vibratory motion stand a risk of this syndrome. Individual physical health can also be a risk factor in some people. Obesity, pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis are also risk factors, but the role of diabetes is not clear.

Prevention

The risk can be reduced by remaining physically active, and wearing a wrist splint.

What should I do if I suspect I have carpal tunnel syndrome?

Do not worry! If you have any or all of the symptoms there is still need to confirm that you are actually suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or something else. If the signs do not go away, or come back, the best course of action for you is to consider your choices of treatment.

Treatment choices

Traditional medical system will be prolonged and may normally end up in surgery. Absolute Health Chiropractic in Gainesville, Florida, offers a non-surgical option. The choice is yours, but a great number of people suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome have benefited from the chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic is a very natural way to cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and many other musculoskeletal problems.

Traditional system of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Management of symptoms of carpal Tunnel Syndrome involves ongoing treatment to allow the affected patient to continue with their work in a satisfactory manner and with ease. Conventional procedures for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome include the repeated application of cold packs in order to reduce the swelling and the discomfort. Pain will normally be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen, etc. When required, injections of corticosteroid type drugs can be used employed for treating pain and inflammation. However, those must not be used for long. If things do not come under control, traditional medical system will go for surgery of the area. If you live nearby, Dr. Weigle from Absolute Health Chiropractic in Gainesville FL, can help you avoid surgery.

Chiropractic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

The approach of chiropractors to treating carpal tunnel syndrome will be different from traditional medicine. Chiropractic doctors have multiple ways of mitigating your carpal Tunnel Syndrome, all without having to undergo surgery or any invasive action. A number of studies have verified the efficacy of chiropractic techniques for relieving the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without involving any type of surgery or other invasive procedure. Chiropractor Dr. Weigle can do this by fitting you with special splints (or braces) to provide the necessary support to the wrist and the hand. This will relieve the pressure on the compressed median nerve within carpal tunnel. Since the pain occurs due to the nerve compression, this will relieve the symptoms of pain, numbness or tingling. Ultrasound therapy can also be used by a chiropractor to reduce the discomfort. Depending upon the need, Dr. Weigle may also decide to apply gentle pressure pulses in your arms and even the spine to relieve the pain in the wrist and hand or she may perform adjustments of the carpal bones.

The activator in chiropractic technique

The chiropractic technique basically involves adjustment of bone structures by applying correct amount and type of pressure on the patient’s spine and the rest of the musculoskeletal system using their hands. Experienced chiropractors like Dr. Weigle know exactly how much pressure is to be applied, where, and in which direction. However, some chiropractic doctors may find it more convenient to use an instrument called the “activator”. The activator is a simple instrument which can help give the right strength of pressure pulse correctly. It is normally applied with the patient lying in the prone position, and adjustments are made from bottom upwards.

Chiropractic treatment vs surgery

The chiropractic treatment has major advantages over surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome or other skeletal problems. Surgery is invasive, and needs a definite recovery time. The patient may not remain functional during that time and may lose work hours. There are chances of infection once the skin is cut. Anytime dealing with nerves is involved there is always a chance for surgeon’s error that can permanently damage a nerve, complicating matters further. Even if the surgical approach is a success in the short term, scar tissue formation often creates a bigger problem down the road. Chiropractic treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome and other ailments is free from such risks.

Advantages of chiropractic carpal tunnel treatment

You will know the advantage of preferring chiropractic technique over conventional treatment and surgery only after you have experienced it. Why go for conventional surgical treatment when you can get rid of the carpal tunnel syndrome pain through much less invasive chiropractic treatment?

Now, the next question that would come to your mind would be “which chiropractor should I choose in Gainesville, FL?” Well, let us make this decision easier for you! Dr. Weigle at Absolute Health Chiropractic is a very well-liked and respected chiropractor in the Gainesville, who can take care of all your musculoskeletal problems. So what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with Dr. Weigle today and get rid of all those musculoskeletal problems that would otherwise require surgical treatment if you had visited an allopathic medical professional.

Chiropractic Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Gainesville