Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Upper Cervical Care

Are you suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome? Then there’s no doubt you desperately want some relief. But many people wonder what link exists between carpal tunnel syndrome and upper cervical chiropractic. After all, we all know carpal tunnel syndrome is a wrist condition.

In this article, we will consider the anatomy behind using upper cervical chiropractic to provide natural relief for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Here’s the thing: carpal tunnel syndrome is not necessarily a wrist condition so much as it is nerve pain. This is because the nerves in your arm and wrist originate in the neck. This explains why wrist, shoulder, and forearm pain can all be related to a neck injury.

Many patients undergo surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. Unfortunately, the bitter truth is they never benefit from the procedure. Before taking an elective surgery, consider a non-invasive approach like upper cervical chiropractic. If the pain originates from your neck, you may experience natural relief from your secondary complaints.

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What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The median nerve compression characterizes carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as it passes into the hand. Your median nerve lies on your palm (also known as the carpal tunnel).

The median nerve is responsible for sensation (your ability to feel) to your index finger, thumb, long finger, and a part of the ring finger.

In addition, the median nerve transmits the pulse going to the thumb. Therefore, one can experience carpal tunnel syndrome in one or both hands.

The compression in carpal tunnel syndrome is caused mainly by swelling inside the wrist. In addition, CTS can lead to weakness, numbness, and tingling on the side of the hand close to the thumb.

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The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome pain is caused by excessive pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. In addition, inflammation can result in swelling.

The most typical cause of this inflammation is an underlying medical condition that leads to wrist swelling and, in some cases, obstruction of blood flow.

Some conditions associated with carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Thyroid dysfunction
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Menopause or fluid retention from pregnancy
Trauma or fractures to the wrist
R heumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders

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Carpal tunnel syndrome worsens if the wrist is overextended repeatedly. Repeated wrist motion contributes to the compression and swelling of the median nerve. This may be due to:

How do you position your wrist while using your mouse or keyboard?
Prolonged exposure to vibrations from power tools or hand tools
R epeated movement causes overextension of your wrist, such as typing or playing the piano.

Who is at risk for CTS?

The risk for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is three times more likely in women than men. Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60.

Some conditions can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, including arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome include high salt intake, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and a high body mass index.

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Jobs that cause repetitive movement of the wrist include:

Assembly line work
Manufacturing
Keyboarding occupations
Construction work

Working in these occupations may be a very high risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

How does upper cervical chiropractic care help carpal tunnel syndrome?

When it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome pain, many patients are constantly looking for quick relief from the numbness, weakness, or tingling in their hands and wrist. Some people who experience carpal tunnel may experience a worse form of pain at night. Some patients may experience a slight relief when shaking the hand on the affected arm.

When a healthcare provider evaluates this condition in a patient, such a provider should consider a history of neck trauma.

Why? You may ask.

Well, as far back as 1973, the medical world coined the term “double crush syndrome” to describe the hypothesis that carpal tunnel syndrome pain was associated with a problem with the neck. Since then, the link between carpal tunnel syndrome and the cervical spine has been the subject of much research, some involving over 1,000 cases of CTS.

Even opponents of the double crush theory have acknowledged the importance of examining multiple joints in an affected person. Relying only on surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome may fail, especially on a long-term basis. So, there is a need to examine the cervical spine as cervical pathologies constantly, and carpal tunnel frequently presents together.

It makes sense for a patient to exhaust all the conservative possibilities before surgery. Upper cervical care for carpal tunnel syndrome is gentle and corrects a Foundational Shift of the spine.

Specific Foundational Radiographs determine the exact shift of the upper neck area and allow the practitioner to correct the neck with minimal force without cracking, twisting, or popping.

Of course, the correction is precise and gentle. This will allow the surrounding tissues and nerves to heal, restore blood flow, and communicate appropriately between the brainstem and other body parts. This will ultimately lead to pain relief and overall improved function.

Foundational Shift (FS) can lead to secondary conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Dr. Brett Berner reviewing a patient’s Foundational Radiographs with them before the correction.

How to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

You can prevent this condition by changing your lifestyle and reducing exposure to risk factors for CTS.

You may reduce your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome by treating conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.

Consider your hand posture and avoid activities that may cause overextension of your wrist. Investing in a standing desk can be helpful as well.

What to do next if you already have carpal tunnel syndrome

If you already have carpal tunnel syndrome, consult an experienced upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your neck and determine if a Foundational Shift is causing your secondary complaint of CTS.

You may experience tremendous improvement from the specific correction to your upper cervical spine, thus removing the need for expensive surgery and restoring optimal function to the body.

Takeaway

Early care for carpal tunnel syndrome with lifestyle changes and specific upper cervical chiropractic care can result in significant long-term improvement.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to complications such as intense nerve damage and disability. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Fix it today by correcting the primary condition.

Call or text 813–578–5889 to schedule your complimentary consultation to see if this unique form of chiropractic suits you.

Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.

References

Russell, Brent S. Carpal tunnel syndrome and the “double crush” hypothesis: a review and implications for chiropractic. Chiropractic & Osteopathy. 21 April 2008. DOI: 10.1186/1746–1340–16–2.

Hurst LC, Weissberg D, Carroll RE. The relationship of the double crush to carpal tunnel syndrome (an analysis of 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome). J Hand Surg Br. 1985 Jun;10(2):202–4. PubMed PMID: 4031604.

Upton ARM, McComas AJ. The double crush in nerve entrapment syndromes. Lancet. 1973;2:359–362. doi: 10.1016/S0140–6736(73)93196–6