Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the occupational disease of the 21st century.
Do you have it? You may have if you have one or more of the following:
* tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers and wrist
* swelling of the fingers
* dry palms
* blanching (whitening upon pressure) of the hand
* pain so intense that it awakens you at night
In some people CTS causes similar symptoms in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder or neck.
Where Is The Carpal Tunnel?
It’s in your wrist. Your carpal wrist bones form a tunnel-like structure-the carpal tunnel-through which pass nine tendons and one nerve-the median nerve. CTS occurs when the median nerve is irritated.
Who Gets CTS?
Just about anyone can get CTS. Fractures, a fall on the hand or poorly designed and/or vibrating hand tools may damage the palm of the hand and also causes CTS. Other causes are rheumatoid or osteo-arthritis, Paget’s disease, multiple myeloma, acromegaly and gout. It is often found in pregnant women, women who use birth control pills or individuals with an under active thyroid.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a similar condition caused by compression or irritation of the nerves that form the brachial plexus (in the upper back) as they exit the neck. The symptoms include pain, weakness and numbness or tingling in the arm.
The Chiropractic Approach
Since most people who do repetitive tasks do not get CTS there appears to be a contributing factor to this condition. In many people it may be the health of the structural system and that is why anyone suffering from CTS should see a chiropractor to ensure that his/her spinal column and body structure are properly aligned and free from nerve pressure. Dr Ram Parikh has developed and performs advance techniques, and has tremendous results with his patients who suffer from CTS and other related symptoms.
How Does Your Spine Affect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Subluxations (nerve irritation) have been observed in many patients who have carpal tunnel or related hand and wrist problems. In fact, nerve compression in the neck can block the flow of nutrients to the nerves in the arm, shoulder, wrist and related areas, and make them more susceptible to injury.
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.
Conclusion
Anyone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome should see a chiropractor to ensure that their spine is free of spinal nerve stress. It is a way of rebalancing the spine and removing structural stress from the nervous system.
A chiropractic spinal adjustment may make the difference. Chiropractic can help release spinal pressure on the nerves that go to the arms, wrists and hands.
