What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? It is a painful condition of median nerve entrapment at the wrist, creating a variety of symptoms. The  nerve entrapment results from a decreased diameter of the Carpal Tunnel ( an anatomic space in the wrist created to allow nerves and tendons to freely communicate with the fingers). The symptoms usually come in different degrees and stages. For instance, Stage I is pain and numbness. Stage II is tingling and a burning sensation. Stage III is loss of grip strength.

Your wrist is made up of eight bones arranged in a distinct pattern of alignment. Repetitive stress of certain unsupported movements, such as but not limited to, typing, sewing, extended use of a drill, etc.  result in misalignment of these bones, decreasing the size of the Carpal Tunnel. Once this occurs pressure is placed on the median nerve and your symptoms begin. A  Doctor of Chiropractic, with post graduate certification in the treatment and rehabilitation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, using  non-surgical, gentle manipulations of the wrist  can eliminate the  pressure on the median nerve thus correcting this painful syndrome.

All these symptoms can occur with misalignments of your carpal bones but, maybe you have been tested for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and been told that you do not have it.  Physicians must look at the origin of the affected  nerve and work their way toward the symptoms to find the source of the problem. The median nerve stems from spinal nerves exiting at C5-T1 ( your lower neck to upper back). Once these nerves leave the spine they course through the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Misalignment of the bones surrounding any of these nerves can become  pinched causing abnormal nerve flow. This can produce symptoms similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The recommended treatment for correcting nerve related injuries is conservative, Chiropractic spinal and/or joint adjustments and therapy. In extreme cases, if nerves are severed or bones are fractured, surgery is necessary and would be performed by an orthopedic surgeon. There are also many ways to prevent repetitive stress injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A Doctor of Chiropractic can assist you with this as well.

As you can see, problems of the hand and wrist can have different causes. If you or someone you know develops symptoms, be sure that the physician you enlist checks all possible sources of your problem.  And remember conservative treatment is always the best place to start