What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that strikes the wrist and hands. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway or “tunnel” located at the base of the palm. Many bones and ligaments run along this side of the hand, along with the median nerve. When this nerve is compressed, it can cause symptoms of carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel can be a painful condition with which to live and may make it difficult to do a variety of daily tasks. When the condition gets severe, generally doctors recommend surgery. Some people find relief with upper cervical chiropractic care.
Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
An early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness and/or tingling in the forearms, wrists, and hands. This sensation may be more likely to strike when the person is flexing the wrist frequently or holding the wrist in unnatural positions for too long.
Tingling may eventually become a pain. People with carpal tunnel syndrome may have difficulty gripping objects with one or both hands. The hands may feel swollen, or like the fingers are burning.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The upper cervical spine is located in the neck. It starts at the base of the skull and is made up of seven vertebrae. These vertebrae are responsible for carrying the weight of the head and the movement of the head and neck.
When the vertebrae in the neck are prone to injury from jolts or accidents. Even poor posture can cause the vertebrae to become misaligned, and misalignments may result in inflammation, swelling, or pinched nerves.
The upper cervical spine is close to the brainstem and clusters of delicate nerves that transmit messages from the brain. If certain nerves are compressed or pinched, it can lead to dysfunction in the extremities. The muscles and ligaments of the hands and wrist may trigger carpal tunnel symptoms.
How Our Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Works
Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder are upper cervical specialists who use the Blair Chiropractic Technique to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
The Blair technique uses a series of advanced diagnostic tools to target spinal misalignments. With this advanced technology allowing for superior scans, practitioners can use gentle methods to make corrections and realign the upper cervical spine. Once the spine is properly aligned, it restores the flow of nerves and allows the body’s natural processes to commence with healing.
Upper cervical care can help reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and slow the progression of the condition. This offers patients a drug-free, non-invasive, safe alternative treatment that allows them to resume their daily tasks and routines.
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, contact us to see if upper cervical care may be the key to putting you on the road back to wellness. Our areas of coverage include Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.