Carpal tunnel syndrome is a health condition in which a person may experience tingling, numbness, pain, weakness, or other discomfort in the fingers, wrists, hands, and forearms. These symptoms can be very uncomfortable, however, conservative therapy is available that can improve the problem and restore hands and wrists to normal. This article reviews the causes and effective treatments that will prevent this condition from affecting a person's lifestyle.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow groove on the palm side of the wrist made up of eight small bones called the carpal bones. This opening is a conduit that contains the tendons that bend most fingers in and an important nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is pinched, pain and numbness result, and may eventually cause the hands to weaken. Tingling and numbness are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or pen or pencil. Progression of the condition could lead to constant feeling of numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist down into the palm or fingers or from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder. This frequently occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands start feeling weak, the individual may begin to drop items. Anything that impinges, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition and it is then termed carpal tunnel syndrome.
A combination of factors may initiate and cause the condition to develop. Among these are regular use of vibrating tools or repetitive or prolonged flexing of the wrist as happens with assembly line work. The frequent use of a computer is commonly noted as a factor. Regular computer use may cause other types of pains in the hand that can be diagnosed by a health care practitioner.
There is often a relationship between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel from the spinal cord in the neck area and exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a doctor of chiropractic, the professional examines both the neck and wrists and to determine the exact cause and performs safe treatments to the appropriate areas that are nonsurgical and involve no medications.
Resting frequently and applying cold packs to wrists may relieve the mildest symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that supports the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper body may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no definite measures to prevent the condition but reducing extreme wrist movement, limiting repetitive use and avoiding forceful usage of the hands when performing tasks may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to a doctor of chiropractic is a logical step. A chiropractor is a professional specialist to see for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow groove on the palm side of the wrist made up of eight small bones called the carpal bones. This opening is a conduit that contains the tendons that bend most fingers in and an important nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is pinched, pain and numbness result, and may eventually cause the hands to weaken. Tingling and numbness are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or pen or pencil. Progression of the condition could lead to constant feeling of numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist down into the palm or fingers or from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder. This frequently occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands start feeling weak, the individual may begin to drop items. Anything that impinges, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition and it is then termed carpal tunnel syndrome.
A combination of factors may initiate and cause the condition to develop. Among these are regular use of vibrating tools or repetitive or prolonged flexing of the wrist as happens with assembly line work. The frequent use of a computer is commonly noted as a factor. Regular computer use may cause other types of pains in the hand that can be diagnosed by a health care practitioner.
There is often a relationship between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel from the spinal cord in the neck area and exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a doctor of chiropractic, the professional examines both the neck and wrists and to determine the exact cause and performs safe treatments to the appropriate areas that are nonsurgical and involve no medications.
Resting frequently and applying cold packs to wrists may relieve the mildest symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that supports the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper body may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no definite measures to prevent the condition but reducing extreme wrist movement, limiting repetitive use and avoiding forceful usage of the hands when performing tasks may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to a doctor of chiropractic is a logical step. A chiropractor is a professional specialist to see for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
About the Author:
Philip Bud Bollen is an author writing about how you can be healthy. Would you like more information regarding a chiropractor Pittsburgh North? More information regarding carpal tunnel syndrome can be found at this website http://tinyurl.com/lt84wnb.
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