Carpal Tunnel in Fountain Valley?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that happens when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed by swelling, often due to an underlying medical condition. It is one of the most common conditions affecting the nerves. Traditionally there were few options to deal with this problem and those available, such as surgery and medication, were invasive and expensive. Fortunately, chiropractors in Fountain Valley have success treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with a more conservative and gentle approach. If you are wondering whether your wrist pain is caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and want more details on the alternative treatments available from Fountain Valley chiropractors, then read on.

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Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Fountain Valley

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually accompanied by sensations of burning, pain, tingling, or swelling in the palm of the hands and extends into the first three fingers and the thumb. Occasionally people also report a feeling of swelling in the hand even when no swelling is present. Patients commonly experience weakness in the affected hand and have difficulty with picking up small objects. This condition can have a major impact on a person's lifestyle and in some sever cases, if left untreated, the damage to the median nerve can cause permanent loss of movement in the hand.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome refers to the symptoms that result from compression of the carpal tunnel on the palmar side of the wrist. The wrist bones are called carpal bones. They fit together like little puzzle pieces bound by ligaments and form an archway that protects the nerves, arteries and tendons that pass from the arm to the hand. When there is compression of the arteries and nerves, either from trauma or thousands of micro traumas that occur with repetitive stress injuries, the “Syndrome” can result. Symptoms associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include wrist pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you experience repetitive stress such as working as a checker in a grocery store, use a hammer regularly or work long hours on a computer, you may end up experiencing some of these symptoms. It’s important to look at your work stresses and minimize them where possible. An example is making sure you don’t type with your hands arched upward. It is better to have the wrists supported so the hands are in a more natural position. It is recommended to have someone with knowledge of Ergonomics analyze these stresses and make recommendations.

Another consideration for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is something we look for in our Fountain Valley office. The nerves that become compressed in the wrist are the same nerves that pass from the spinal cord in the neck region, between the vertebrae, under the collar bone, underneath the pectoralis minor muscle and inside the upper arm. It is important to determine if the symptoms experienced in the wrist are coming from compression of nerves further up. This is like putting a kink in a garden hose close to where the hose attaches to the house. The water pressure will be lessened from that point all the way to the far end of the hose. We’ve had many patients that had their Carpal Tunnel symptoms relieved simply by having misaligned (subluxated) vertebrae in their neck fixed.

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What is the Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The pain experienced with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a result of the swelling and misalignment of tissues and bone which then press on the nerve. Often there is an underlying problem. Some patients have had an obvious injury, a stress or break to the wrist, that causes the symptoms to develop.

The most common cause is related to occupations that involve the long term use of vibrating instruments and the repetitive use of the hands and wrist. At other times, this issue seems to develop out of nowhere. Metabolic disorders involving the pituitary and thyroid gland can be a contributing factor to the unexplained development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, as can pregnancy and obesity. More commonly, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, that develops in one or both wrists without a clear cause, is the result of a nerve irritation stemming from the spine.

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How is Carpal Tunnel Treated?

Traditionally, Carpal Tunnel treatment has been limited to decompression surgeries, physiotherapy, and prescription medicines. Due to the fact that these options often fail to deal with the underlying problem, they may only provide short-term relief and, at times, can prove completely ineffective. When left untreated, or when unsuccessfully treated, people are forced to adapt their lifestyles to accommodate this debilitating issue. This may include quitting one's job and needing help with basic everyday living.

Fortunately, many people in Fountain Valley are finding long-term relief from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome through chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic medicine is a non-invasive alternative that seeks out and deals with the underlying cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A chiropractor will perform an evaluation of your condition and formulate an individualized treatment plan that will work to correct nerve interference in the spine and restore you to an optimal state of health. If you are noticing any signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome do not hesitate to call our team at Stark Family Chiropractic today for a consultation.