Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that has plagued people at an increasing rate in recent years. This increase is due to the fact that many jobs include computer work and spending hours at a desk or slumped forward. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused from very precise, intricate movements of the hands which causes the canal that runs through the wrist to get smaller and lead to pressure on the nerve and blood supply that runs through it.
As the pressure increases, the hand gets less and less nerve and blood supply. This causes the muscles of the hands to work inefficiently and leads to pain over time. Jobs that are commonly victims of this condition are computer operators, office administrators, and dentists or dental hygienists.
In order to improve this condition, we usually look to the location of the pain and conclude that the problem is coming from the wrist area. It has actually been shown through studies, though, that most of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients suffer from a condition that is called Double Crush Syndrome. Double Crush Syndrome is a Carpal Tunnel problem that is caused by loss of structure in the neck.
This change in structure causes irritation to the nerves traveling down the arms and supplying the muscles surrounding the tunnel that travels through the wrist. This irritation leads to inflammation that causes the canal to constrict and put pressure on the nerve and blood supply that runs through it.
Therefore, when assessing patients that suffer from pain in the hands and wrists we should evaluate the neck first. This evaluation can show us whether we can improve the function of the area of concern through conservative adjustments to the neck before attempting surgery to improve the condition. These adjustments to the neck will remove the nerve interference causing the lack of function in the muscles of the wrists and hands. Therefore, the inflammation will be reduced and the carpal tunnel will be able to open allowing for normal nerve and blood supply.
Chiropractic is a great option for people suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before opting into a surgery. It is always best to try the conservative approach first to avoid any unnecessary procedures. If you suffer from hand pain, wrist pain, or pain down the arms, try Chiropractic first!
As the pressure increases, the hand gets less and less nerve and blood supply. This causes the muscles of the hands to work inefficiently and leads to pain over time. Jobs that are commonly victims of this condition are computer operators, office administrators, and dentists or dental hygienists.
In order to improve this condition, we usually look to the location of the pain and conclude that the problem is coming from the wrist area. It has actually been shown through studies, though, that most of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients suffer from a condition that is called Double Crush Syndrome. Double Crush Syndrome is a Carpal Tunnel problem that is caused by loss of structure in the neck.
This change in structure causes irritation to the nerves traveling down the arms and supplying the muscles surrounding the tunnel that travels through the wrist. This irritation leads to inflammation that causes the canal to constrict and put pressure on the nerve and blood supply that runs through it.
Therefore, when assessing patients that suffer from pain in the hands and wrists we should evaluate the neck first. This evaluation can show us whether we can improve the function of the area of concern through conservative adjustments to the neck before attempting surgery to improve the condition. These adjustments to the neck will remove the nerve interference causing the lack of function in the muscles of the wrists and hands. Therefore, the inflammation will be reduced and the carpal tunnel will be able to open allowing for normal nerve and blood supply.
Chiropractic is a great option for people suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before opting into a surgery. It is always best to try the conservative approach first to avoid any unnecessary procedures. If you suffer from hand pain, wrist pain, or pain down the arms, try Chiropractic first!
About the Author:
Dr. Kevin Kean is a Chiropractor in Houston, practicing in the Galleria area. More information can be found on his website by visiting http://www.drkevinkean.com.
