To know what carpal tunnel syndrome is, an understanding of the nerve involved is needed. The median nerve runs from the cervical spine in the neck, down the arm, and through the wrist. This is the nerve that gives feeling to the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger. The wrist has a narrow opening called the carpal tunnel. This is where a majority of the problems occur and is where the name Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, stems from.

The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is inflammation around the carpal tunnel. This can be caused by repetitive movements over time. Repetitive motions can be work-related; such as typing, holding a phone for long periods of time or some forms of physical labor. An injury to the wrist or neck can also cause a person to develop symptoms of carpal tunnel.

The first symptom that usually occurs is numbness and tingling in the thumb and fingers. An indication that it is carpal tunnel syndrome and not something else is if there is feeling in the little finger. The median nerve doesn’t supply sensation to the little finger. So if all other fingers are numb except the little finger, then it is likely carpal tunnel syndrome. A person with CTS might also experience a shooting pain that travels down the arm. If left untreated, CTS can affect the way the handgrips items and can cause a person to drop things without control.

A chiropractor will talk to a patient to get their history and listen to their symptoms in an effort to determine the underlying cause of carpal tunnel syndrome and make a plan of action. If the problem stems from the neck area, then an alignment of the spine could be helpful. Gentle manipulation of the wrist can help if the carpal tunnel is the problem. Different exercises and braces can be used as tools to alleviate symptoms. There are a variety of non-invasive methods that can be used by a chiropractor to treat CTS. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your options.