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Contact Us for An Appointment Today! Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic CareWhat is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS or CT) is an injury caused by a pinched or impingement nerve(s) in the wrist, resulting in pain and numbness in the fingers and muscle weakness in the fingers and / or thumb. The name “carpal tunnel” receives its name from the bones in the wrist, called carpals, which form a "tunnel" through which the nerves pass through. What are the Signs and Symptoms of this condition? Pain and / or tingling in one or both hands or fingers, frequently worse during activity or at night. Feeling of weakness in the fingers, difficulty to squeeze or hold things. Sensation that fingers is swollen even though little or no swelling is showing. Strength loss in either hand for gripping or carrying objects. Pain or tingling shooting from the hand up the arm as far as the neck or shoulder. What Causes such wrist pain? The carpal tunnel is filled with tendons (attaching muscle to bone) that control finger and thumb movement. Tasks requiring highly repetitive and stressful movements of the wrist can cause pinching of the nerve(s) resulting in swelling and inflammation around the tendons, producing carpal tunnel. Double Crush Syndrome: The Neck Connection and often time the Key to Correction Because pathway of the nerves to the hands connect all the way up to neck, any pinching or impingement at the neck (the first “crush”) or along this pathway can actually affect recovery and healing. Such impingement of these nerves can make them more susceptible or vulnerable to carpal tunnel syndrome (the second "crush"). This is called the double crush phenomenon and is widely referenced in the scientific and medical research as a consistent finding in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and can explain why some patients do not recover with care. Often times in a sudden injury or bad posture position over time, patients can suffer double crush syndrome to the neck area. If the patient suffering from double crush syndrome and is just treated for carpal tunnel syndrome only, often times the treatment is not only ineffective, but the symptoms can get worse. Such advanced stages can become quite serious, involving a loss of sensation, muscle deterioration, and permanent loss of function. It is important for the patient to be check for this syndrome. How can Dr. Marc Lawson, DC, help such conditions? First Dr. Lawson, DC will perform a physical, neurological and chiropractic examination to determine if there is carpal tunnel problem as well as the double crush syndrome. He may also perform more sophisticated diagnostic procedures ranging from X-rays or Surface EMG to reveal the cause and the nature of the injury and to see if chiropractic care can help. After analyzing this information, Dr. Marc Lawson DC determines if the patient can be help by chiropractic care and the type of treatment needed. Chiropractic care involves gentle low-force techniques and therapy to help reduce the pain and inflammation to the area, as well as help restore proper joint alignment and posture to help promote the healing cycle. Lifestyle changes, specialize exercises, nutritional supplements can also be of benefit in the treatment of such wrist problems.
Do you have any questions or concerns Chiropractic and Carpal Tunnel? Contact Us or call Dr. Lawson DC directly at 858-576-6329. He will be happy to answer your questions and set up a prompt appointment.
Dr. Marc Lawson, DC |
