As many as 3% of women and 2% of men will be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome at some point in their life. It can be a debilitating condition that prevents many people from performing their job, or even functioning normally. However, people with carpal tunnel syndrome in Lakewood can now get the treatment and relief they need by visiting Dr. Julie Peterson at Vital Family Chiropractic.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a medical condition commonly caused by an excess of repetitive motion, specifically with the wrist and hand. This leads to the compression of the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel, a pathway that connects the forearm to the hand. Symptoms may include:
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness
- Pain
- Stiffness
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Certain risk factors can make people more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, such as obesity, arthritis, diabetes, and preexisting nerve and inflammatory conditions. The most common and well-known cause stems from repetitive motion at a person’s job. Common tasks (such as typing or writing) may put minor stress on the hands, wrist, and forearm, and this accumulates over time, eventually leading to the compression of the nerve.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
If you are already suffering from CTS, or believe you may be, chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive, non-surgical approach that has been shown to relieve the common symptoms and pain. Dr. Peterson will be able to examine you and determine if you are suffering from CTS or not. If you are, she can immediately begin treatment. Chiropractic treatment for CTS is meant to directly address the issues with the wrist, elbow, upper arm, and even the upper spine. Misalignment of the spine can easily lead to CTS as it can disrupt the signals sent to the wrist and hand. This approach has been shown to improve nerve conduction, wrist strength, wrist motion, and noticeably reduce pain and stiffness.
Other approaches may include the use of wrist supports, or ultrasound therapy. This method applies soundwaves outside of the human range of hearing to the affected area to relax muscles, alleviate discomfort, and reduce inflammation.
How To Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome that will still allow people to perform their job. Something as simple as taking short breaks, or using ergonomic keyboards, mouses, and pens have shown to be very effective in preventing CTS.
Certain exercises can also help reduce a person’s risk. Stretching the wrist and fingers before an activity or during breaks can help loosen the muscles and prevent tension. One example is an exercise where a person places their hand on a flat surface, such as a desk, and presses gently to stretch the wrist. Another involves making a tight fist and then fanning out the fingers.
Come See Us
If you are suffering from daily pain and stiffness in your wrists and hands that makes your life more difficult, please make an appointment with your chiropractor in Lakewood today. It may be the first step to get the relief you need.
