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Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
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Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by too much pressure on your median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a channel in the palm side of your wrist. It is made up of wrist bones and a tough ligament called the transverse carpal ligament which forms a roof over these bones. About three in 100 men and five in 100 women develop carpal tunnel syndrome at some point in their life.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms most likely affect the thumb, index and middle finger. You may also get an ache in your forearm, shoulder or neck.
- Pins and Needles
- Numbness or Tingle
- Burn
- If symptoms occur frequently, your hand muscles can become weak, causing difficulty to grip objects.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Because there isn't much room in your carpal tunnel, any swelling around it can press on your median nerve, causing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Occurs in females more than males with a peak onset is 45-60 years.
- Pregnant women in their second and third trimester.
- Square shaped wrists.
- Overweight.
- A job that involves repeated forceful movements of your wrist, such as using a screwdriver, typing for long periods of time, making coffee as a barista.
- Previous trauma or fracture to the wrist.
- Rheumatoid arthritis or Osteo-arthritis in the wrist joint.
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
At Kurilpa Chiropractic we will ask questions regarding your medical history and any previous injuries, your occupation and lifestyle which may be contributing to the carpal tunnel pain.
Tests performed include tapping on your wrist, asking you to bend the palm of your hand to see if the symptoms are reproduced. We will also check your spine, shoulder, forearm and wrist bone to see if they are contributing to the wrist pain.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chiropractic treatment focuses on increasing movement in the joints of the wrist, forearm, shoulder and spine. A gentle adjustment can help to take the pressure off the median nerve.
Massage treatment focuses on warming up the muscles in the forearms, wrist and shoulder, re-aligning the muscle and releasing trigger points. This aims to relieve the wrist pain by reducing the pressure on the median nerve.
If we are not sure that we can help you we will refer you to a GP or a neurologist to perform a nerve conduction test. This test can show if there’s any damage to your median nerve.
Self-Help
If there are repetitive movements causing the wrist pain, it’s important to limit those movements. Some suggestions are;
- To change the way you work e; Changing the mouse pad to the other hand
- Take regular breaks
- Shaking your hands when they’re numb.
- Apply an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel to help with inflammation in the wrist. You shouldn't apply ice directly to your skin as this can damage your skin.
- Wrist splints or wrist supports can help to keep your wrist straight and reduce pressure on the compressed nerve.
Medicines
Your GP may prescribe corticosteroid injections to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Some research indicates that ultrasound treatment (treatment with sound waves) may help reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Surgery
If your symptoms are severe, the GP may suggest carpal tunnel surgery to help ease the pressure on the nerve.
Helpful Tips for Home
Carpal Tunnel
- Gently stretching your wrist against wall or with the opposite hand can help increase wrist motion. Make sure that you do not over stretch by being in pain. If you would like further information please contact us.
- While you are stretching your wrists against wall or prior to stretching, you can apply ice. Apply ice to the whole forearm & wrist, (wrist extensors and flexors).
- Why use ice? Ice can desensitize the pain and allow you to stretch further. Ice is also a natural way to help reduce inflammation. Please contact us if you have any questions.
- Stretching the pec muscle (pectoralis major & minor muscle) can help take the pressure off he nerve that branches down the arm to the wrist. Make sure you gently lean against a wall and hold for up to 30 seconds.
Stretch Upwards
Stretch Downwards
Shoulder Stretches
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