Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
~By Dennis Buckley, Doctor of Chiropractic
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) commonly occurs when a person’s wrists or hands, for example, are exposed to repetitive strain on a repetitive basis. Tissues surrounding the wrist tendons become enlarged to a point that they compress the median nerve, which runs through a passage in the wrist know as the carpal tunnel. It affects over 230,000 people every year and accounts for nearly half of all workplace illnesses, costing nearly $800 million in health care benefits and rehabilitation.
Causes of CTS can be from repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands, repetitive bending of the wrist, broken or dislocated bones in the wrist, arthritis, thyroid gland imbalance, diabetes, hormonal changes, pregnancy and obesity.
Symptoms of CTS can include tightness, discomfort, stiffness or pain on the front side of the hand/wrist. Also, tingling, numbness or paresthesia (pins and needles) sensation especially at night, affecting the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger may be felt. A loss of strength in the hands, pain, aching, swelling and diminished coordination of the injured area may occur.
A diagnosis is made by symptoms or signs, orthopedic tests that confirm or rule out CTS, x-ray, MRI or even by a special test called a nerve conduction study. Traditional treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, wrist braces, cortisone injections, physiotherapy and/or surgery.
Unfortunately, the treatments of CTS have not had successful outcomes. The success rate is anywhere from 70% to as low as 3%. Many times CTS is misdiagnosed. It is rarely caused by a single site malfunctioning. Because the nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel originates in the neck at the spinal cord, pressure in any one area makes the entire nerve susceptible. This “whole nerve syndrome” often exists before the symptoms show up.
Accepted therapies often contribute to the chronic nature of this problem. They work on the symptoms, not the underlying cause. Chiropractic care addresses CTS at its cause and recent research studies show that this type of care is quite effective.
Chiropractic care involves looking at the whole area involved -- from the hand to the spine. Care involves manipulation of the spine, mobilization of joints and soft tissue from the neck to the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. Physiotherapy may include electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, deep muscle work, and, recently, the use of low light laser therapy or “cold laser” has proven to be very effective. Exercise, posture, diet and supplements also contribute to supporting the body so it can heal itself.
To effectively treat CTS, a full examination and treatment plan must be developed to treat the cause and not just the symptoms. Many times there is more than one cause. Swelling at the wrist and nerve irritation at the spine results in the “double crush” syndrome.
The doctors at University Health Center have the expertise and research to diagnose and help you with your problem. We also feature the latest technology including “cold laser” and home therapeutics.
