Carpal Tunnel
What Is The Carpal Tunnel?
Carpus is the medical term referring to the wrist. The carpal tunnel
is the passage for the major nerve in the wrist (the median nerve) and
the tendons in the wrist formed by the ligament of the wrist and the
carpal bones. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to
innervate the hand and fingers.
What Can Cause Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome?
In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is compressed as it passes
through the canal made by the wrist bones and the ligament of the
wrist. The nerve may be compressed or trapped in its path due to joint
changes in rheumatoid arthritis or other systemic diseases. In most
cases, however, inflammation of the tendons and tissues of the wrist
which causes the syndrome is not associated with systemic illness.
How Can I Tell If I Have Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome?
The majority of patients affected by this syndrome are middle-aged
women. The usual symptoms are pricking numbness and pain which is most
prominent in the first three fingers, the thumb, and the palm. This
pain comes on especially during the night and is relieved by shaking
the hand. Aching may accompany the numbness and extend up the arm. In
late cases, there may be wasting of the hand and finger muscles
innervated by the median nerve.
What Can I Do To Ease the Pain
Temporarily?
Place the hand in the neutral non-flexed position and avoid bending
the wrist.
If you have pain that may be associated with this syndrome, apply an
ice pack or cold compress to the wrist to help reduce any inflammation
and thereby decrease the pain. Use the compress for 20- to 30-minute
periods with at least a 30-minute interval between each application. If you have chronic pain, apply moist heat to the wrist. Use the heat
for 20-minute periods with at least a 30-minute interval between each
application.
What Can the Doctor of
Chiropractic Do to Help?
Doctors of chiropractic are educated and trained in the detection and
care of musculoskeletal problems, particularly the joints of the
spinal column and extremities (shoulder, arm, wrist, etc.). Your
chiropractor can provide you with a complete examination and
recommendations for care appropriate to your case.
He/she will seek to differentiate local problems from spinal referred
pain. Since the median nerve originates in the neck, the doctor of
chiropractic will examine the neck area.
In addition, some musculoskeletal problems affect the nerves and blood
vessels in the arm and may mimic carpal tunnel. The doctor of
chiropractic may perform some orthopedic tests in an effort to detect
interference with blood flow through the arm or changes in sensation
if distant problems cannot be found. He or she will examine the local
wrist area for deformities, swelling, fixation or movement dysfunction
of the carpal bones in the wrist.
If your condition should require examination by another health care
specialist however, your chiropractor will refer you.
ACCOLADE CHIROPRACTIC CARE
1609 Meridian Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
Phone Number: (408) 448-8818
Email
Addresses: AccoladeChiro@aol.com
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