Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises & Explanation!

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition involving the nerve that runs through the bottom of the wrist under a thick ligament and then into the hand and fingers. The tissue is called the median nerve, and when it becomes injured or inflamed, it can cause symptoms that worsen over time if not remedied. 

Chiropractic services  combined with Active Release Techniques offer several solutions to help cure your carpal tunnel syndrome as well as preventative techniques to keep it away. If you have hand pain, seeking medical attention at its first sign is smart; you can save yourself from the pain spreading and becoming more intense. 

 

In this post, we’ll discuss:

• What carpal tunnel syndrome is
• How you get carpal tunnel syndrome
• Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chiropractic solutions and exercises that cure carpal tunnel syndrome
• And more

If you’re curious about how chiropractic care can benefit your hand pain, read on.

 

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an inflammatory condition of the wrist that affects the median nerve, the nerve that runs the length of the arm, sitting over the bones of the wrist, and then into the fingers. It usually stems from irritation near the wrist or elbow, causing the area to feel discomfort; however, the entire hand can feel the symptoms. 

In some cases, tension on the median nerve causes it to become irritated, and pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand can result. This usually makes fine motor skills such as writing or typing difficult and painful.  

How did I get carpal tunnel syndrome?

Unfortunately, the condition can reach people of all ages and lifestyles, but it generally affects those who are over 40 and have a sedentary or desk job. Sometimes athletes who perform a large amount of overhead lifting or cycling can experience this condition too.

The majority of people who suffer from CTS repeatedly use their hands in the same manner or have a condition that keeps the wrist from adequately supporting them and adds stress to the soft tissue. 

 

Things that cause plantar fasciitis and people who commonly get it include:

• Overhead atheltes and cyclists
• Those who work at desks
• Pregnant women
• Those who are overweight 
• Those with arthritis 
• Those who use cumputers or gaming systems frequently

The ongoing or repetitive stretching or motion of the hand that leads to irritation and inflammation causes imbalances, so it’s important to your body’s function that you seek medical care to ensure the hands get and remain in good health.  

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Plantar fasciitis can be felt in different ways by different people. In some cases, it makes writing and typing difficult; in others, it makes the slightest movement unbearable. 

 

Some of the most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Pain in the heel of the hand
• Numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers, sometimes worse at night
• Hand pain that increases after exercise
• Hand stiffness that worsens throughout the day
• In severe cases, atrophy or shrinkning of hand muscles 

CTS is incredibly common due to the amount of wear and tear on the hands. But safe, non-invasive solutions may be all you need to treat the wrist's soft tissues and cure the condition. 

Chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome

We’re often asked if chiropractic is good for carpal tunnel syndrome, and we’re happy to report it is. If caught early enough, a chiropractor can use methods to align and strengthen the neck, elbow, and wrists so they can support you properly. 

 

Some of the chiropractic treatments to cure CTS include:

• Adjustments to the elbow and wrist- realigning the tissues of the arm can help reduce pain and regain proper motion and flexibility
• Spinal adjustments- if the spine is not aligned correctly, it can cause pressure on the nerves, and CTS can be the result
• Stretches- performing specific arm and hand stretches that eliminate pressure on the nerve; these are done in our clinic and at home
• Exercises- specially designed exercises that enhance strength, mobility, and healing
• Sports chiropractic - solutions provided to athletic patients that utilize a full-body approach to your care, enhancing performance and finding balance 
• Soft tissue treatments- help restore the function of the soft tissues. We use Active Release Technique and Graston Technique. 

At Invictus Chiropractic, we know that you want to live in comfort and enjoy your physical activities, and we want to help make that happen. We’ll design a treatment plan around your needs and use solutions that complement each other for the most effective recovery process. 

The takeaway 

Don’t take risks with your health. If you’re experiencing hand pain, come visit our Centennial chiropractic clinic. Maybe the cause of your discomfort isn’t serious, but wouldn’t you rather know? 

We’re ready to get you moving pain-free and confidently. Contact us today, and let’s start.