Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, And Treatment

In our hectic schedule where we work for almost 9-10 hours of the day, we neglect the importance of exercises; This results in severe back pain and other problems involving muscles.

While most of us sit in an office in front of the PCs, we do not maintain a good sitting posture which is becoming a key factor for the rise of different problems involving muscles, joints and the nervous system.

Thus, it is quintessential to exercise and engage in some physical activity rather than sitting glued to the computer.

The importance of proper sitting posture is emphasized since it is the cause of the majority of problems related to the spine.

Chiropractic adjustments have a significant impact as they solve any issues of the muscles, joints and nervous system. Any nerve issue in any part of the body can be resolved with Chiropractic practices.

One such condition is the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Many people fall victim to this common condition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is a medical condition wherein the subject experiences pain, numbness, weakness or prickling in hand and the arm. There is a median nerve in our hand that runs along the length of the arm.

When this major nerve to the hand is compressed or squeezed as it runs through the wrist, one may experience the pain or numbness associated with the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many people have the carpal tunnel syndrome, and it is a common condition. It is adjudged as the most common nerve compression condition of the upper extremity. Moreover, the prevalence of the syndrome is widespread, with 463,637 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome found annually in the USA.

The condition, though familiar, can have severe effects and so it needs to be treated effectively with the help of a good chiropractor.

Causes Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The condition arises when there is a pressure on the median nerve, which is one of the central nerves in our hand.

The carpal tunnel is a thin passage in the wrist, approximately an inch wide. The small wrist bones or carpal bones act as the floor and sides of the tunnel. The transverse carpal ligament itself is the roof of the tunnel, and it is an influential band of connective tissues.

The carpal tunnel is responsible for protecting the median nerve and the flexor tendons that help in bending of the fingers and thumb. The firm and rigid boundaries of the carpal tunnel do not find space to increase in size or stretch.

The syndrome is caused when this passage of carpal tunnel becomes exceptionally narrow and when the tissues (known as synovium responsible for the easy movement of the fingers by lubricating the tendons ) in the vicinity of the flexor tendons swell, thereby creating pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel.

This pressure causes severe pain or numbness or tingling in the thumb, middle finger, the thumb side of the ring finger, and index finger.

Other risk factors that cause the syndrome are:

● Hereditary

● Pregnancy

● Wrist motions for a prolonged period and Repetitive use of the same hand

● Medical condition like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid gland imbalance, etc.

● Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Signs of the syndrome

● Tingling or prickling and numbness in the thumb and index, middle and ring fingers.

● Shock-like sensations occasionally in the thumb and index, middle and ring fingers

● Severe pain and tingling that is experienced in the forearm as well

● Weakness in the hand and clumsiness up to the extent that one may find a problem even to button the shirt

● Dropping things due to the weakness

● An individual may initially find that the symptoms come and go. However, as the condition takes a severe turn, one may experience pain for longer durations.

Prevention Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel syndrome is usually difficult to prevent. It is when the initial symptoms are identified, one can reduce the stress or strain on the wrist and the hand.

Having a correct sitting posture is also necessary to reduce the stress on the wrist. Moreover, it is said that keeping the hands warm will also ease the stiffness of the wrist.

Treatment

The treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome involves reducing the pressure and the swelling on the wrist.

Non-Surgical Treatment:

● Wrist Splinting - Making use of a splint to avoid pressure on the wrist.

● Consumption of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain for a short time span.

● Use of Corticosteroids by the doctor to relieve the individual from the pain.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is needed if there is no kind of improvement in the use of other treatments. The surgery involves the cutting of the ligaments that are responsible for creating pressure on the median nerve. The surgery may be an open surgery or an endoscopic surgery.

Dr. Bryan Foss, a famous Denver chiropractor, suggests that it is better to consult a well-known chiropractor who can be trusted to give relief from the pain of the syndrome before performing any surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common syndrome; however, one should immediately visit a chiropractor on the visibility of the symptoms.