What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Can Chiropractic Help?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Carpal Tunnel Doctor Comments:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition that occurs when the Median Nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. This can happen two ways; either the carpal bones which create the carpal tunnel (carpal is Latin for wrist) lose their normal alignment and compress the median nerve, OR...

The contents of the carpal tunnel expand and compress the nerve. The contents of the carpal tunnel include the flexor tendons of the wrist, the median nerve, and some blood vessels. It's usually the tendons that expand from overuse.

When the median nerve is compressed, that's when you get the signs and symptoms of CTS, which include:

1. Pain in Wrist/Hand/Forearm

2. Numbness/Tingling/Weakness of Grip

3. Night Pain (Classic)

4. Loss of Fine Motor Skills

5. Swelling, and more...

Carpal Tunnel Sydrome is not fun. Often times CTS causes severe disability. But...other times CTS is misdiagnosed and the problem is actually something else.

In fact...most diagnosis' of CTS are wrong (in my opinion). It's gotten to the point where carpal tunnel syndrome has become a generic term for hand pain.

The median nerve actually originates in the neck. It is created by branches of cervical nerve roots, and is one of the 5 main nerves that branch-off from the brachial plexus. Here's the deal...pressure on the nerves in the neck can cause the same symptoms in the hand that you get from true CTS.

And...pressure on the nerves in the neck is more likely. So, the bottom line is this...YOU HAVE TO CHECK THE NECK WHEN SOMEONE PRESENTS WITH SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CTS.

The good news is...we always check the neck, and so does any decent chiropractor. Don't expect the emergency room doctor to check your neck though. If you have these kinds of symptoms go to a CTS expert...find a good chiropractor. When it's all said and done...chances are...you will be glad you did.

If you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our Financial District CTS Center...Simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.