You won’t find this tunnel on the map! Carpal tunnel is the name given to a condition that affects your wrist and hands. The nerves going through this structure inside your wrist can be irritated from injury or overuse. This can cause lots of problems such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness of the fingers, hands, and wrist. Sometimes the pain is so intense it wakes people up at night. One out of every ten people suffers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), usually affecting domestic workers, secretaries, computer users, construction workers, electricians, musicians, and others who do repetitive tasks with their hands. Many people in Portland, especially those in the tech industry, are most likely to suffer.
Traditional medical treatment for CTS includes splints, ice, drugs, cortisone injections, and even surgery. Drugs and surgery’s poor success rate in treating this painful condition led Robert Mendehlson, MD to conclude: “Since the medical treatment for this condition is so often unsatisfactory, I have for years been recommending that my patients consult muscle and joint therapy specialists.” A chiropractor fits the bill!
The relationship between spinal health and carpal tunnel has been documented by researchers who found spinal nerve root irritation in patients who had carpal tunnel or ulnar neuropathy. Others have found that nerve compression in the neck can block the flow of nutrients to the nerves in the wrist, making it more susceptible to injury. This is often referred to as “double-crush” syndrome.
Not surprisingly, when 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were investigated, it was found that a large number of those suffering from CTS also had neck arthritis. In light of what’s known about CTS, anyone suffering from it should see a chiropractor to ensure that their spine is free of spinal subluxations. A chiropractic spinal adjustment may be the difference between a pain-free wrist or surgery.
by Dr. Tedd Koren
