If you have wrist pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands, you may suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the most common hand conditions. It’s essential to understand musculoskeletal and nervous system anatomy to assess and resolve this kind of dysfunction.
The carpal tunnel is a passageway of eight small bones and ligaments in the wrist. When this area is damaged or misaligned, it can compress the nerves to the hand, causing numbness and tingling, specifically in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Carpal tunnel pain gets worse with grasping and is often worse at night.
Comprehensive Wellness Assessment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
When a patient presents with discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the hand and wrist, our team at Barham Chiropractic does a thorough evaluation. This includes a hands-on assessment, postural analysis, and an evaluation of not just your wrist joints but also your spine.
Your peripheral nerves are not isolated to your hands and feet; they connect to the larger system that connects to your spine and brain.
Numbness and tingling in the entire hand may indicate compressed or irritated nerves beyond the carpal tunnel. The compression could be in the elbow, shoulder, or even at the nerve root in the neck.
Since the 1970s, researchers have studied the correlation between misalignments of the upper cervical vertebrae in the neck and the effect on the nerve root that branches out to the wrists and hands. It’s important to evaluate the spine of patients with wrist pain in both hands, as it is rare for people to injure or use both hands equally.
Once we have identified where the spine is misaligned, we can adjust to correct those misalignments and remove pressure from the “pinched” or irritated nerves. This improves nerve flow throughout your body, reducing symptoms and improving function.
Based on our evaluation, we may adjust your shoulder, elbow, or wrist to ensure the joint is moving correctly and not compressing the nerves.
We also recommend a nutritional consult with our team to help reduce inflammation and support tendon and ligament health.
Other conditions commonly mistaken for carpal tunnel dysfunction include:
Tendonitis – Repetitive movements may strain and irritate the tendons of the wrist and hand, causing painful inflammation that may not actually involve compression of the nerves in the carpal tunnel. Rest, ice, and nutritional support can alleviate this.
Neuropathy – This is commonly caused by damage to the nerves of the hand or wrist from toxic overload such as chemotherapy or statin drug use or conditions like diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune disorders.
Arthritis – Joint swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the wrist and hand could indicate degeneration of the joint (osteoarthritis) from wear-and-tear to the cartilage and bones.
Regular adjustments ensure proper alignment to allow the joint to move well, supporting adequate nutrition into the joint space.
A Holistic Approach to Long-Term Wrist Wellness
While aggressive medical procedures have their place, we recommend starting with a conservative, natural approach to carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
Unlike medications or surgery, natural methods address the root causes without unwanted side effects or downtime. They empower you to take an active role in your healing, often leading to longer-lasting relief. Natural approaches like stretching, ergonomic adjustments, and lifestyle changes can prevent the condition from worsening and may even reverse early symptoms.
These methods are typically cost-effective and can be easily integrated into daily routines. Plus, they often provide additional health benefits beyond just treating hand and wrist pain, such as improved overall posture and reduced stress. By choosing a natural path, you’re not just treating symptoms – you’re promoting whole-body wellness.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
- Maintain a neutral wrist position while typing or using tools.
- Use ergonomic keyboards and mouse devices to reduce strain.
- Adjust chair height so elbows are at keyboard level.
- Get checked by a chiropractor regularly to ensure alignment of the spine and extremity joints
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet that supports joint health
- Take frequent breaks and perform wrist exercises and stretches
Easy Carpal Tunnel Exercises:
Rotate your wrists by moving only your hands up, down, left, and right. Repeat up to four times.
Stretch your fingers wide and then relax them, and repeat up to four times.
Extend your arm in front of you with your wrist bent as if to say, “Stop.” With your other hand, gently pull the fingertips of the outstretched hand, increasing the stretch in your wrist and palm.
Hold this position for up to 30 seconds. Release and relax your hand. Repeat this stretch 2-4 times on each hand.
Extend your arm in front of you with your palm facing upward. Gently bend your wrist backward as if trying to point your fingertips toward the floor. With your other hand, apply light pressure to the back of the outstretched hand, increasing the stretch in your wrist and palm.
Hold this position for up to 30 seconds. Release and relax your hand. Repeat this stretch 2-4 times on each hand.
Get Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Evaluation
Come to our Sacramento office for a complete spine, nervous system, and joint alignment evaluation. Our team is dedicated to finding the root cause of dysfunction and helping you to heal naturally.
Why Choose Us for Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Sacramento?
Since 1992, Barham Chiropractic has been home to the best chiropractors in Sacramento. Our family's clinic is committed to providing you with exceptional carpal tunnel care!
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