How to Deal With Carpal Tunnel

It is common these days that most people spend inordinate amounts of time typing or texting on electronics, whether it is hours on the computer or running your business and life from the phone. The body is not meant to perform any tasks for prolonged periods of time on a regular basis. When we ask our body to do so, it is extraordinarily important that we perform these tasks with proper form to allow proper function and intact health of the system. When we type or text for long periods of time on a regular basis with improper form, consequences ensue and — in these situations — wrist problems often result. One such problem is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Anatomy

The carpal tunnel is a passage area in the wrist. Through the passageway of the tunnel there are tendons of the forearm muscles that control movement of the hands, the transverse carpal ligament, carpal (wrist) bones, and the median nerve. This nerve provides sensation or feeling to the index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a myriad of symptoms that occur as a result of the median nerve being compressed with the passageway. Tingling, numbness and weakness are the main symptoms noted with carpal tunnel syndrome. They are often noted in the thumb, index and middle finger. Pain can be associated as well with these symptoms. It is frequent that the pad or base directly below the thumb is unaffected. It is also common that pain and symptoms can be worse at night and interrupt sleep. Symptoms appear gradually and worsen with time if no correction for the cause of the issue, or care, is rendered.

While improper wrist positioning while typing and texting are often a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to note any repetitive task that involves the use of the wrist can potentially cause this syndrome. Sports with wrist motions, and work or musical instruments that call on small hand/wrist movements, can be causative factors.

Carpal Tunnel Conservative Recovery

Because the passageway has numerous structures within it, it is imperative that proper form be paid special attention to while consistently using the wrist for repetitive tasks. When using improper form, there are numerous structures that can become irritated and then generate pain and symptoms. Recovering from carpal tunnel syndrome first requires that the provocative task must either be halted or shown proper form, and decreased in frequency until symptoms can decrease or subside.

Chiropractic care is an excellent option for conservative care of carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors are experts in biomechanics and proper joint function. Thus, the education of proper wrist positioning and form for your specific desired task can be properly addressed.

Chiropractors can manipulate the extremity joints (wrist) to restore joint range of motion. This means that they can induce more motion within the joints of the wrist. When increased motion is present, there is often more space and fluidity for other structures to perform as they are intended, and it can relieve unwanted excess pressure on structures. If the joints between the carpal bones aren’t moving properly and are perhaps negatively affecting other structures and their performance, the adjustment has the ability to produce positive results, which includes increasing function and decreasing inflammation within that tunnel.

Carpal tunnel can feel and be debilitating and difficult to deal with. Proper education on form and function, along with conservative care, can be effective if utilized and applied in a timely manner. If you perform repetitive tasks using your wrists, it is worth your while to get into your chiropractor to ask about proper form and function with regard to your specific task. Then follow through with that advice and regularly have your chiropractor check your wrists for proper joint motion. If you don’t have a chiropractor, give our office a call at 910.246.0606 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zeh.