Carpal tunnel is something that is more common than people realize. The most popular association of carpal tunnel used to be workers who jobs required them to type on keyboards for several hours each day BUT there are lots of professions that require intense use of the hands – dentist, chefs, journalists to name a few. The condition starts with the compression of the median nerve, which begins at the spine and runs through your back all the way down your arms to the wrists. The carpal tunnel is a part of the wrist where the median nerve and blood vessels are found – when this tunnel is too narrow the nerves are compressed and you may experience pain and numbness. The most common causes of carpal tunnel are inflammation (pregnancy, injury or an inflammatory disease) or poor body mechanics. When the median nerve is compressed, people often experience numbness and tingling in the hand and wrist.
Relief of symptoms – manipulation of the wrist and hand can reduce the pressure on the median nerve. Adjustments can also help decrease inflammation in the body which maybe aggravating symptoms. Improved range of motion – manipulation helps improve the range of motion of the joints adjusted.Increased strength and circulation – when the wrist is properly aligned it works more efficiently. Also, when the wrist is properly aligned, there is no compression on blood vessels thus improving circulation. Prevention of further injury – chiropractic care can help correct the underlying cause of carpal tunnel, which is often poor posture or musculoskeletal imbalance.