If you’re one of the millions struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, you know just how unpleasant it can be. From shooting pains and numbness in your hands to constantly fumbling things, carpal tunnel can make everyday tasks excruciating. And it often causes night disruptions that leave you exhausted the next day.
While carpal tunnel is commonly treated with braces, medication, and even surgery, more and more patients are now turning to chiropractic care.
Research shows spinal and extremity manipulation can effectively relieve nerve compression symptoms.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
First, let’s quickly cover the basics. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve gets compressed as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel in your wrist. This causes irritation, inflammation, and impairment of nerve function.
Anything reducing carpal tunnel space can squash the nerve and trigger pain signals. Repetitive motions like typing and gripping, arthritis, injuries, and simple anatomical quirks can all contribute to nerve irritation.
Common signs include…
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- And burning sensations in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
How Can Chiropractors Help?
As chiropractors, we take a whole-body approach to carpal tunnel relief. Rather than just treating the wrist area, we examine spinal alignment, muscle function, and biomechanical movement. That’s because issues in those broader areas often manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome.
We can correct subluxations and nerve interference stemming from the neck and back with gentle adjustments. Relieving impinged nerves allows critical signals to flow freely from the spine to the wrist. We can also utilize soft tissue work, stretching instructions, acupuncture, and custom braces.
Additionally, we can provide ergonomic and movement advice to prevent carpal tunnel triggers. With this full-body perspective focused on root causes, chiropractic care aims to reduce compression forces and related symptoms.
What Does the Research Show?
Multiple studies demonstrate chiropractic’s effectiveness for carpal tunnel relief. One randomized trial followed carpal tunnel patients receiving chiropractic care or wrist splinting for four weeks. While both groups improved, the chiropractic group saw more significant reductions in nerve pain, numbness/tingling, weakness, and more.
Another study divided participants into three groups: chiropractic care only, ultrasound treatment only, and a combination plan. After six weeks, the combination group reported the most significant improvements in grip strength and symptom severity. However, chiropractic care-only patients saw greater enhancements than ultrasound patients.
A 2018 case study reviewed three patients with chronic carpal tunnel symptoms ranging from 10 months to 9 years. The patients underwent chiropractic adjustments targeting spinal dysfunction related to the wrist.
After 6 to 12 visits, all three experienced complete symptom resolution and regained normal nerve conduction, confirmed through testing.
Who Is a Good Fit for Chiropractic Carpal Tunnel Care?
While studies support chiropractic for carpal tunnel, individual factors determine outcomes. You’re likely to see the best results if:
- Numbness and tingling extend beyond just your hands
- You have neck pain or a restricted range of motion
- Your occupation requires repetitive motions
- Symptoms appeared after injury or trauma
- You want to avoid surgery if possible
- You have nerve-related conditions like headaches or sciatica
- You need relief fast to prevent work disruptions
Since the median nerve runs through the neck and down the arm, spinal misalignments often manifest as carpal tunnel. At Marcum Chiropractic, we can assess if your posture alignment or vertebral subluxations contribute to your wrist woes.
Give Drug-Free Relief a Chance
Before resigning yourself to living with carpal tunnel pain, know that effective treatment options exist. Seeking chiropractic care is an excellent way to address nerve compression at the source.
Research confirms customized spinal and extremity adjustments can relieve hand numbness, tingling, and shooting pains.
By focusing on body-wide roots of nerve irritation rather than just the symptom site, chiropractors succeed in alleviating many carpal tunnel cases without drugs or surgery.
So, try this conservative approach for a hands-on solution to troublesome wrist woes. Contact us today and set up an appointment!