What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(CTS), named from the carpal bones in the wrist that form a tunnel around the
nerve leading to the hand, is an injury usually caused by repetitive and
forceful movements that result in swelling around the tendons and pinching of
the median nerve, causing painful tingling, lack of muscle strength and control
in the hand, and pain shooting from the hand up to the shoulder. CTS is a risk
to most workers, such as those who work on the computer and also store and
assembly line workers, who receive micro-traumas to their hands and wrists on a
daily basis due to awkward positioning, forceful and repetitive movements, and
stressful activity.
Chiropractic Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The usual treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can extend to
heavy medication and surgery, however there are alternative methods of
treatment that can alleviate the symptoms and effects arising from CTS.
Chiropractic treatment for CTS has been studied against conventional
non-surgical medical treatment by Davis et al. [1] and was found to be
effective. This offers an alternative to sufferers who are intolerant to
ibuprofen, or those who simply wish to avoid treating with medication.
The median nerve in the wrist, which when trapped causes Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, connects to the spinal cord through the openings in the bones
in the areas around the lower neck. If these bones in the spinal cord lose
their ordinary position or motion, this can cause problems in the wrists or
fingers. Through chiropractic treatment, these bones can be reset to the
correct position and can help to treat CTS.
Chiropractic Treatment Can Be the Leading Method for Non-Surgical Treatment
If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is detected early, then surgery
can be avoided, and chiropractic treatment is the leading method of
non-surgical treatment. Chiropractic treatment usually involves various methods
[3], with a combination of rest, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation,
including:
·
By chiropractic manipulation therapy of the
elbow and upper spine, where the joint’s soft tissue undergoes manipulation [4];
·
Nutritional supplements in the diet such as B6,
a vitamin that has had long-term promotion in its treatment of CTS;
·
Electro-acupuncture treatment; bracing, a
technique that has had extensive success, by limiting extension and flexion in
the hand, and with compression on the median nerve may encourage recovery and
ease the swelling in the tendons;
·
Exercises for the wrist and hand designed to
encourage recovery;
·
Reassessing the ergonomics of the work place to
minimize stress the best way as possible.
Recent studies, such as that by J. Burke et al (2007)[5],
concluded that using manual therapy intervention such as soft tissue
mobilization (STM) has been found to help improve the signs and symptoms of
CTS, with improvements to nerve conduction latencies, wrist strength and
motion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can become a serious health problem,
and if left too long may require surgery. If it’s caught early, then
chiropractic treatment is an effective, drug-free method to ease the symptoms
and pains caused by CTS, and provide long-term relief from CTS.