What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the hand caused by irritation on the median nerve as it passes through a ‘tunnel’ at the wrist. This tunnel is formed by a tough membrane that makes a ‘roof’ to a natural arch produced by a group of wrist bones. The purpose of this membrane is to keep the tendons, arteries and nerves that pass under it in place.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a combination of factors that increase the irritation on the median nerve. Causes are;

• Irritation to the median nerve pathways either from the wrist or from other areas (neck, shoulder, and elbow).
• Trauma or injury to the wrist causing mechanical collapse of the tunnel (wrist sprain and fractures).
• Pregnancy, overactive pituitary gland, underactive thyroid gland, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Who gets it?

It is a common disorder, especially in middle-aged and pregnant women. Manual workers (such as farmers) are also prone to carpal tunnel syndrome as are those who use their hands in a repetitive way.

What are the symptoms?

Tinging and numbness of usually the distal lateral parts of the hand. The little finger is usually free of symptoms. Pain may shoot up the arm from the wrist. One or both arms may be affected. The pain and tingling are usually worse at night and cause you to wake up. It may be relieved by hanging your hand over the side of the bed and shaking or rubbing it. Warmth usually aggravates the problem.

How can chiropractic help?

Spinal adjustments are delivered by chiropractors to restore misaligned vertebras to their correct position, restore normal disc mechanics and reduce nerve irritation. Chiropractors also assess and adjust extremity joints such as the elbow and wrist. By restoring proper mechanics in extremities and spine, we reduce and remove the nerve irritation that might be affecting the wrist
and causing carpal tunnel symptoms.

Talk to your Gonstead Chiropractor today

Murtagh, J. (2012). John Murtagh’s patient education. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Australia.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Retrieved 19 February 2021, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Fact-sheet