Do you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
You may if you have one or more of the following:
• tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers and wrist
• pain so intense it awakens you at night
• similar symptoms in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder and/or neck.
Millions of people now suffer from CTS and increasing numbers of them are seeking chiropractic care. Why? The chiropractic process of relieving the spine and arms from damaging nerve irritation strengthens your body. You will have more energy and may better deal with any condition-including CTS.
Where is the Carpal Tunnel?
You won't find this tunnel on any map—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. CTS is one of the most common occupational disorders of our time.
Who Gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
People who do repetitive tasks, housewives, secretaries, meat cutters, assembly line workers, carpenters, musicians, computer users and others. Also, fractures or a fall on the hand, and poorly designed and/or vibrating hand tools may damage the palm of the hand and cause CTS. In addition, it is often found in pregnant women, women who use birth control pills or individuals who have an underactive thyroid.
The Medical Approach
The medical approach tries to relieve the pain by wrist immobilization, ice or drugs. If the symptoms persist, corticosteroids may be injected into the wrist which may provide relief but has a high relapse rate and many side effects.
Surgery may be resorted to with hand surgeons performing 100,000 operations a year for CTS. Recovery from such surgery may take from six months to years. Some studies show that 40% of surgical cases need a second surgery to eliminate scar tissue which further complicates the condition!
Your Spine & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The relationship between spinal health and CPS has been documented by a number of studies which found spinal nerve root irritation in patients who had CPS. Other studies have found that nerve compression in the neck can block the flow of nutrients to the nerves in the wrist, making it more susceptible to injury (this is called the double crush syndrome). Not surprisingly, when 1,000 cases of CTS were investigated it was found that a large number of those suffering from CTS also had neck arthritis.
The Chiropractic Approach
Anyone suffering from CTS should see a chiropractor to ensure that his/her spinal column is free from nerve pressure between the arms and wrists and the nerves in the neck. The musicians, computer operators and other workers who suffer from CTS are not only using their wrists in their tasks, the neck is also involved. Altered spinal movements may be creating strain on the neck to cause or aggravate the condition. The misalignment of the bones in your wrist can also cause nerve pressure. For over a hundred years, doctors of chiropractic have been adjusting patients' spines and wrists to better balance their body alignment. During this period, chiropractors have observed fantastic results that are drug free and natural.
Conclusion
In light of what's known about CTS, anyone suffering from it should see a chiropractor to ensure that their spine and wrists are free from nerve irritation. Chiropractic care could make the difference between years of pain and suffering or natural, effective and quick relief!
