Non-Invasive Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Do you have a hard time grabbing a bottle or cup? Have you lost the strength to twist open a large jar? How about tingling, numbness or pain in your hand, wrist or fingers? If so, you may have carpal tunnel. Dr. Stan G. Langford III offers chiropractic treatment at Langford Chiropractic, including manipulation of the affected wrist and elbow, as well as manipulation of the upper spine to relieve the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Langford also recommends ice therapy and laser therapy for carpal tunnel treatment at his Chula Vista, CA, office.

What is Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome, a repetitive stress injury (RSI), was named as such because of the anatomical structure of this form of injury. The bones in the wrist (called carpals) form a tunnel, and the median nerve travels from the forearm to the hand through this carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is, therefore, an injury to this area of the body. Often, the dominant wrist is the injured one, but in some patients, both left and right wrists are involved.

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

• Pain and numbness in the index, middle fingers, and thumb,
• Tingling in the hand
• Weakness
• Pain shooting up the arm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused and worsened by repetitive motion and tasks, whereby the tendons in the carpal tunnel become swollen, which contributes to a pinched nerve in the carpal tunnel. The carpal “tunnel” is formed by bones in the wrist.

A recent study published in the Annual of Internal Medicine confirmed that chiropractic care is among the most frequently used types of care for persons suffering from carpal tunnel.

The median nerve, tendons, and blood vessels pass through this opening. If one or more of the bones forming this tunnel should “collapse,” inflammation, nerve pressure and painful symptoms can result.

Examples of repetitive motion include using a computer for long periods of time, prolonged texting, performing a job on an assembly line, and using hand tools. The major nerve controlling the thumb, index, and parts of the middle and ring finger is called the median verve.

From the tip of your fingers, it travels through the bones in your wrist, past your elbow, up your arm, through your shoulder and neck, and finally to your spinal cord. Problems can develop in one or more of these areas. It is important to recognize that not all wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome.

It is very common to experience the same symptoms when there is a misalignment in the neck, where nerves that control our arms and hands originate. When these nerves are compressed, wrist and hand pain is common. Chiropractic doctors are highly trained in identifying the source of your condition.