Frequently Asked Questions About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Matthews Family Chiropractic

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects everybody from office workers to professional athletes, but this painful inflammatory condition can seem as confusing as it is vexing to its many sufferers. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about carpal tunnel syndrome — and its non-surgical treatment options — from our team at Matthews Family Chiropractic.

What is the carpal tunnel? The carpal tunnel is a narrow space that threads it way between the small bones in the wrist. This passageway serves as a conduit for tendons and blood vessels extending from the arm into the hand. It also houses the median nerve, the nerve responsible for motor and sensory signals in the thumb and first three fingers of the hand.

What happens in carpal tunnel syndrome? If the tissues around the tendons become inflamed and swell up, they crowd the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, pinching it and impairing its ability to conduct signals properly.

How did I get carpal tunnel syndrome? Some people are actually born with unusually narrow carpal tunnels, making them naturally prone to the disorder. But you can also develop it as the result over constant flexing of the wrist or hand, which produces chronic inflammation. Even holding your wrist in an unhealthy position for long periods of time can inflame the carpal tunnel.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome may cause pain, numbness, tingling or “electrical” sensations in the fingers, hand, wrist or arm. In some cases the pain may radiate all the up into the shoulder. Muscle weakness may show itself as loss of coordination or loss of gripping ability.

Can other conditions cause these symptoms? Any condition that affects the median nerve can produce similar symptoms. Examples include thoracic outlet syndrome and cervical spondylosis, both of which cause nerve impingement at points closer to the spine.

Do I have to have surgery for this condition? While carpal tunnel surgery does work for many people, it can produce lasting side effects and may require a lengthy recovery period. Our chiropractic clinic can help resolve the condition non-invasively.

How will my Matthews NC chiropractor treat carpal tunnel syndrome? You chiropractor in Matthews NC, Dr. John Hanna or Dr. Mechelle Hanna, will first determine whether a spinal misalignment is causing your symptoms so we can address them at the source. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, we can adjust your wrist bones to reduce nerve pressure, prescribe corrective exercises to enhance flexibility, and recommend changes in your lifestyle or workplace ergonomics to help prevent future inflammation.

Lest Us Resolve Your Matthews NC Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Here at Matthews Family Chiropractic, we can do more than just answer your questions about carpal tunnel syndrome — we want to resolve the condition itself so you can resume your normal life. Call (704) 845-0699 to arrange for a consultation, evaluation and treatment!