Do I have Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?

Has it become difficult to grasp a cup or jar? Have you noticed that you have lost the strength to open a large jar? Have you been having night time tingling in one or both of your hands? Is it hard to hold on to small items? Do you have numbness in your wrists, hands or fingers? Or does your wrist just plain hurt?

If you can answer yes to any of the above questions it is very possible that you have Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or CST. Keep in mind, only an exam from your medical doctor or chiropractic doctor can confirm this. As many as one tenth of people who work with their hands are affected by this condition. Usually, this is a cumulative problem that occurs over time instead of something that happens from a one time injury. Repetitive activities when performed in excess or incorrectly can cause small injuries that over time can build up to one bigger injury. Since Carpel Tunnel Syndrome affects you arms and hand it can affect your ability to function at home and at work.

What is CTS?
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve is irritated or put under pressure in someway. This nerve begins in the lower part of your neck, travels down the shoulder into the arm, and ends in your fingers and hands. There are many different causes for the pain and tingling of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. It can be trigger point in a muscle, nerve irritation in the neck or pressure in the carpel tunnel in the wrist or a combination of these that is the cause of your pain. Since the pain is usually felt at the wrist, it is easy to think that is were the problem is as well, though that is not always the case. The problem may actually be in you neck even though you have no pain there! There many other conditions that may mimic the symptoms of Carpel Tunnel Pain and your chiropractor will perform tests to see how they can help you best.

Prevention Tips
There are many things we can do on our own to help prevent this from becoming a problem for us. I find many people who have desk jobs get Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. It is very important to check out your work station ergonomics, or setting up your work station so it works well for your body. This is something your company might offer to you or it is something your chiropractor can go over with you in their office. Using a headset with your phone instead of tilting your head to the hold the phone between your ear and shoulder can keep the nerves and muscles healthy in your neck. Stretching your neck, shoulders and arms throughout the day can keep you body loose and healthy. These are tips that can help anyone, but they might not be enough for those of you already suffering.

Treatment Options
There is a wide variety of treatments available to treat CTS it is best to talk to your health care provider to deicide which option is best for you. Surgery is an option and for some it may be necessary. It is quite invasive compared to the other options available. I always prefer to work form the least invasive effective treatment first and the most invasive option last. There are also drugs that can be taken to cover up the pain and symptoms and reduce some to the swelling. The drugs are not going to address the reason the problem started they are usually just dealing with the symptoms. Some people find that wearing braces at night to relax their wrists can help. These braces allow the wrist to say in a neutral position which allow the actual carpel tunnel to be al little wider.
The chiropractic approach is a bit different and a bit more conservative. We evaluate your body to find out where your condition is rooting from and make small adjustment in your body to take the pressure off the nerve. In other words, allow your body to function just as it is supposed to. When a chiropractor adjusts the neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist, the irritation that was causing the symptoms is removed. It makes sense that if it is the pressure on the nerve that is causing the problem that removing the pressure will allow your body to heal. Along with the adjustments, exercises can be preformed to help muscles to function in a more natural way to keep the nerve pain free and at full function once again. Occasionally physical therapy is needed to assist in you healing, your chiropractor can determine if it is necessary in your case.

By: Dr. Jill Aardema