Carpal Tunnel, Wrist Pain and its Diagnosis.
Pain in the wrist and hand can be a difficult thing to diagnose properly.
The first problem is deciding what type of doctor to see. A chiropractor, internist, orthopedist, rheumatologist, or neurologist, will all agree to schedule you for an appointment, but who is best?
At your visit it's important to have a thorough examination and to ask a lot of questions. I'd be skeptical if the doctor only examines the wrist and hand, and leaves out the elbow, shoulder and neck.
The reason this is the case is that problems of the neck and other joints distal to the pain, can refer pain into the wrist and hand. Not all wrist pains are a problem with constriction at the carpal tunnel. Pain into the hand can come from compression of nerves in the neck.
Your carpal tunnel pain needs to be separated from a problem in the neck, such as a radiculopathy or thoracic outlet syndrome.
Your doctor should ask how long the problem has lasted, and if there has been any trauma. Trauma to the neck is especially important, and could be a sign that your wrist problem is really a neck injury.
As a chiropractor, I often look to the spine when my patients have nerve pain. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome have a history of a whiplash injury or other neck trauma.
But how can a neck injury make me susceptible to carpal tunnel?
Simple. When you sprain the ligaments in your neck, this can cause damage and inflammation, which can irritate a nerve where it exits the spinal cord and courses between tiny bones to eventually reach your hand.
If the nerve is irritated at the neck region, then this makes it more vulnerable to compression as it passes through the wrist tunnel. Signs that your carpal tunnel pain is a neck problem include shoulder and neck pain and/or a history of a neck trauma.
How can this possibly be fixed “chiropractically”?
The first step is to diagnose if you have a primary wrist or neck problem, or a problem with both areas. A thorough examination of the neck, which may include x-rays, is important. The carpal bones of the wrist can be out of alignment or the vertebrae in the neck can be out of normal position. A specific adjustment can help to correct the abnormal posture and restore mobility.
You may also need to do strengthening exercises, especially if the condition is long-standing or you've worn a brace. The muscles of the lower arm are integral to providing wrist support and optimum function. Contractures can develop over time as well, fixating the nerves and not allowing them to glide normally with movements. Deep tissue therapy such as active release technique breaks up knots and tight tissues or scarring.
With most patients, alignment is an issue, as is flexibility and strength. I consider the cause of most carpal tunnel symptoms to be multi factorial. Not one exercise, or one pill, or even one adjustment, is right for everyone.
However, it's important to consider conservative options first before deciding on invasive surgery.
Even rest and taking pain pills is not really exploring all of the potentially conservative options available.
It's in your best interest to get your carpal tunnel syndrome evaluated soon, because if you wait too long, your condition may get more chronic and difficult to treat.
Just call our office at 847-870-7980 and schedule your Free Carpal Tunnel Syndrome evaluation!
PHONE: 847.870.7980