Tingling, numbness, pain, weakness, or other discomfort in the fingers, wrists, hands, and forearms may be caused by a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. Though these symptoms can be very unpleasant, treatment is available that should relieve them and restore wrists and hands to normal condition. Learn the causes and popular treatments that will prevent this condition from compromising the lifestyle.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the underside of the wrist. It gives passage to the tendons that bend most fingers in addition to the main nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is compressed, pain and numbness result, eventually causing the hands to weaken. Numbness or tingling are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or steering wheel of a car. Progression of the condition could lead to constant numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist down into the palm or fingers or from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder. This frequently occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands start feeling weak, the individual may begin to drop items. Anything that impinges, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition and it is then termed carpal tunnel syndrome.
A combination of factors may initiate and cause the condition to develop. Among these are regular use of vibrating tools or repetitive or prolonged flexing of the wrist as happens with assembly line work. The frequent use of a computer is commonly noted as a factor. Regular computer use may cause other types of pains in the hand that can be diagnosed by a health care practitioner.
Often there is an association between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel through the neck area to exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can have symptoms that mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a chiropractor, the health care professional examines both the neck and wrists and administers safe, drug-free, and nonsurgical treatments to the appropriate areas.
Conservative measures include resting frequently and applying cold packs to the wrists to relieve the symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that stabilizes the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper extremity and improve upper body posture may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no proven ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome but resting hands and wrists frequently, limiting wrist movement, and reducing force when performing tasks involving the hands may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to the doctor of chiropractic is recommended. Many primary care physicians make referrals to a chiropractic specialist for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the underside of the wrist. It gives passage to the tendons that bend most fingers in addition to the main nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. When this nerve is compressed, pain and numbness result, eventually causing the hands to weaken. Numbness or tingling are frequently experienced in the thumb and next two fingers and may appear upon awakening or holding an item such as a telephone, newspaper, or steering wheel of a car. Progression of the condition could lead to constant numbness.
Pain may extend or radiate from the wrist down into the palm or fingers or from the wrist, up the arm, to the shoulder. This frequently occurs after repetitive or forceful use. If hands start feeling weak, the individual may begin to drop items. Anything that impinges, or irritates the median nerve within the carpal tunnel area can result in this condition and it is then termed carpal tunnel syndrome.
A combination of factors may initiate and cause the condition to develop. Among these are regular use of vibrating tools or repetitive or prolonged flexing of the wrist as happens with assembly line work. The frequent use of a computer is commonly noted as a factor. Regular computer use may cause other types of pains in the hand that can be diagnosed by a health care practitioner.
Often there is an association between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel through the neck area to exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can have symptoms that mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a chiropractor, the health care professional examines both the neck and wrists and administers safe, drug-free, and nonsurgical treatments to the appropriate areas.
Conservative measures include resting frequently and applying cold packs to the wrists to relieve the symptoms. If numbness or tingling occurs at night, a chiropractor may recommend using a wrist brace that stabilizes the wrist while the patient sleeps. Exercises that stretch, balance, and strengthen muscles of the upper extremity and improve upper body posture may reduce weakness and pain.
There are no proven ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome but resting hands and wrists frequently, limiting wrist movement, and reducing force when performing tasks involving the hands may help. If the condition does not improve, a trip to the doctor of chiropractic is recommended. Many primary care physicians make referrals to a chiropractic specialist for comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
About the Author:
Philip Bud Bollen is an author writing about how you can be healthy. Would you like more information about Pittsburgh North chiropractic? More information can be found about Pittsburgh North chiropractic at this website http://twitter.com/DrJSchofield.
No comments:
Post a Comment