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ARE YOUR HAND/WRISTS SORE? TINGLY? WEAK?
The "Carpal Tunnel" (carpal means wrist) is an area inside the wrist where nerves and tendons and blood vessels are contained inside a sheath of connective tissue. If you look at a piece of raw meat you'll see a white membrane that holds the muscles together ... that is connective tissue or fascia and is tough and doesn't stretch much which leads to....
....Certain conditions that can cause swelling in the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the nerves leading to the hand.
If the wrist area is smaller than usual, repetitive movement or swelling caused by hormones, thyroid conditions, pregnancy, etc., may cause irritation and inflammation, leading to a true case of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Signs and symptoms of nerve irritation (you needn't have all of them) in your hands are:
pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, feelings of hot or cold when your skin is normal temperature, "electric shocks" and/or loss of or erratic function....maybe you cannot lift or grip objects.
BUT....MOST CASES DON'T BEGIN IN THE WRIST!
For instance, neck muscle spasms, thoracic outlet syndrome (spasms of muscles in the chest, which can press on nerves and blood vessels to arms and hands) will cause the exact same symptoms as a too-narrow carpal tunnel.? Overdevelopment and spasms of muscles on the inside of the forearm can squeeze nerves and bring on the same symptoms.
Subluxations of vertebrae, usually in the neck and mid/upper back can irritate nerves and bring on pain and tingles, too.? Subluxations (slight misalignment of the bones forming a joint) of the sacroiliac joint (where hip and sacrum meet) can cause compensation in the neck, resulting carpal tunnel symptoms.? We have a sensor in the brain that causes our eyes to line up with the horizon.? So, if your hips are slanted, your neck will bend to allow this alignment.
The skill is in differential diagnosis, finding out what causes the symptoms, constructing and carrying out a treatment plan.
And, THAT'S WHAT CHIROPRACTORS DO!!
No matter what it's called or whatever the cause, hand pain, weakness and paresthesia (tingling, numbness, burning, electric shocks, etc.) can ruin careers, are terrible to live with and should be properly diagnosed and treated.
That why I wrote my carpal tunnel webpage, to educate people about different causes for the pain and prevention...before they lose their jobs, drop their babies or are shipped to the hospital to have their wrists cut, sewn or stapled.
HAND/WRIST PROBLEMS CAN BE A RESULT OF:
1. Muscle spasms in the chest.
2. Neck vertebrae that need chiropractic adjustment.
3. Nerves that are pressed between the collarbone and ribs (from carrying heavy items on the shoulders? such as a one side backpack strap or handbag or ropes over shoulders to carry buckets, etc.)
4. Vertebrae in the upper back (or, for that matter, anywhere in the spine) that need adjustment or alignment.
5. Incorrect ergonomics or "not working smart", which leads to various muscle spasms and distorted posture, resulting in nerve irritation. See my pain prevention page.....
6. Clenching or grinding teeth, which can cause myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome, affecting the whole body, shoulders, arms and hands included.
7. Subluxations and/or muscle spasms anywhere from the hand and arm up to the neck.
Look at your posture now while you're at your 'puter. Are your knees and elbows at a 90 degree angle? Are your feet on the floor or a stool?? Are your elbows supported?? Do you stand up and walk a little a few times each hour?
If you answered, "No" to any of the above, you are risking nerve irritation that may mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. The usual treatment, as a last resort, is surgery, which may be disfiguring; scar tissue can form afterwards and eventually cause more pressure in the carpal tunnel.
Avoid that consequence by correcting your posture and computer work habits and having your spine checked periodically by your chiropractor.
Think of it this way, the nerves that lead to your fingers originate in your neck and communicate with your spinal cord there.
So, anything that interferes with your nerves on their paths from your neck to your fingers can cause carpal tunnel type symptoms.
How can you tell how or where the problem began? You probably can't. A chiropractor, by clinical testing and a process of elimination, can rule out each possible factor until the cause is found.
Treatments can be various.... massage, heat, ice, St. John's wort tincture spray, vitamins, joint mobilization, trigger point therapy, traction, acupressure, etc., and, of course, Chiropractic adjustments.
You'll need to learn which of the activities in your life are contributing to your symptoms. Your lifting habits, sleeping posture (especially pillow placement) are important. For instance, we all know we should bend at the knees, stand close to objects when lifting and not twist the torso.
Do you know that sleeping on your stomach is a no-no? That position requires your head to be turned to the side (so you can breathe) which shortens and stretches various neck muscles too much; bellyflopping can also cramp your spinal bones too close to one another and irritate your spinal joints.
Meanwhile, back at your job...your chiropractor, in addition to keeping your spine in order, may be able to come to your place of work, evaluate your workstation and suggest changes to allow you to work "Smart" and avoid pain. If you already have a company ergonomics program, ask that the employees, as well as work stations, be checked. Some organizations only allow for checking setup of machines and furniture, not the function/structure of the operators' spines and limbs.
If your boss says, "No" or if you are the boss, call your chiropractor or one recommended by a friend or family member and make an appointment that will change your life.
Exercise is also important to help you look and feel healthy, painfree and youthful....aerobic as well as stretching and strengthening movements are needed.
Try yoga, Pilates or just stretching and walking. To give yourself more incentive, buy new workout clothes. Steel Pony has stylish, super outfits, worn by massage therapists and yoga and Pilates teachers/students. And, they have an online catalog... Yoga/Pilates clothing
Surgery should be only a last resort. There was a lawsuit in Philadelphia a few years ago when a surgeon was charged with recommending surgery to a patient without informing him of other choices.
Know your options....there is enough information on the net to earn a degree.
See a chiropractor before you make any decisions for procedures that cannot be undone.
Dr. Lynn Kelly, Non-Force Chiropractic Techniques, Esthetics and Muscle Therapy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this page and on this website is meant to encourage thinking concerning choices of care for and insight pertaining to possible causes of various problems. It is not a prescription for OR DIAGNOSIS of any disease or condition. Suggestions are based on the assumption by the writer that a thorough examination was done and the reader is still under care by a healthcare professional.
This is a discussion, not a prescription, nor diagnosis or referral. The author assumes no responsibility for consequences arising from readers' actions involving anything read on this page or website.
To email Dr. Lynn Kelly click here or email drlkelly@icdc.com
Following are links for more information.
ACNE ALTERNATIVES
ALTERNATIVE HEALING
ARTHRITIS
BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA
BEAUTY
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
FAR INFRARED SAUNA
FEET...OUCH!
HEADACHES
MIND AND BODY HEALING
NECK & SHOULDER PAIN
Philadelphia Non-Force Chiropractic Home
PAIN PREVENTION & ERGONOMICS
PHILADELPHIA CHIROPRACTOR
PREGNANCY, LABOR & BABIES
SHINGLES
SPA MENU
Dr. Lynn Kelly's education and experience includes classes in Trigger Point Therapy, Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT), Myofascial Release, massage, aesthetics (skin care), etc.
Edited 9/6/2005 by Dr. Lynn Kelly,Non-Force Chiropractic Techniques, Philadelphia, PA
Following are links for more information.
ACNE ALTERNATIVES
ALTERNATIVE HEALING
ARTHRITIS
BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA
BEAUTY
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
FAR INFRARED SAUNA
FEET...OUCH!
HEADACHES
MIND AND BODY HEALING
NECK & SHOULDER PAIN
Philadelphia Non-Force Chiropractic Home
PAIN PREVENTION & ERGONOMICS
PHILADELPHIA CHIROPRACTOR
PREGNANCY, LABOR & BABIES
SHINGLES
SPA MENU
Dr. Lynn Kelly's education and experience includes classes in Trigger Point Therapy, Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT), Myofascial Release, massage, aesthetics (skin care), etc.
Edited 9/6/2005 by Dr. Lynn Kelly,Non-Force Chiropractic Techniques, Philadelphia, PA