Health
Treating It Naturally- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
I grew up watching my mother suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. I saw her struggle with the pain on a daily basis until she finally was sleeping in wrist braces. As an adult, I too started to experience the numbness and the aches that my mother had always complained about. I discovered that, as a writer, I was more susceptible to developing the syndrome, as the ailment stems from the constant movement of the hands and fingers. My mother had been a hairstylist, so it soon was no wonder why she had developed it.
As society transcends into a modern, computer-savvy workforce, more people are being affected by this painful syndrome. The thought of losing ability in the hands is frightening, as we do everything with our hands! My first step in correcting my pains was to seek chiropractic help.
What Exactly is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs from a pinched nerve in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is the passageway of the nerve, which connects to the hand’s tendons and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs from conditions like arthritis, but can also occur from a block in the actual tunnel. The median nerve, which is the nerve that connects, becomes compressed. This causes painful inflammations in the tendons and tissues.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Tingling in the fingers, especially when holding objects
- Pain surging through the wrist
- The desire to “shake out” the numbness or pain
- Pain in the palm/forearm
- Morning aches and pains (in the hand/arm)
Who is Most Susceptible to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The people who run the highest risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome are those who use their hands frequently. Typists, athletes, writers, painters, hair-stylists, mechanics, and people who frequently knit or sew are all susceptible. In addition, many people who hurt or injure their wrists have a higher rate of developing the syndrome.
Age and gender also play a role. Older people are more likely to develop the ailment over younger people. Women are also much more prone to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This is thought to be because women’s bones and muscles are generally weaker than men’s. It is always important for women to make sure that they are receiving enough, calcium, and iron, as stronger bones fracture, injure less frequently.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The key to getting your hands back into the swing of things is by seeking out natural, holistic therapy. A holistic clinic has physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists to naturally relieve and correct the pain.
Chiropractors are experts on the musculoskeletal system. This includes the neck, arm, hand, and fingers. The chiropractor will run orthopedic tests to check the patient’s blood flow. In addition, the chiropractor will examine the hand and arm for swells, deformities, misalignment, fixation, and dysfunction. The chiropractor will also conduct tests for arthritis.
Once the route of the problem has been detected, the specialist will begin flexing and aligning the hand’s bones and muscles. The carpal bones may be adjusted to relieve tension from the large, median nerve. In addition, the specialist may work on aligning the arms, neck, and back.
What Can I Do to Lessen the Pain?
- Place your hand in a straight position without bending your wrists
- Ice the wrist in intervals of thirty minutes.
- You may opt to vary between cold and warm treatment. For heat-therapy, apply a warm, damp towel around the wrist. Heat may be applied for up to twenty minutes, with thirty-minute intervals.
Having carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t have to be a permanent thing. Dr. John Mooney, a chiropractor in Placerville CA says that with a proper pain-regimen and consistent therapy from your chiropractic center, the pain from carpal tunnel syndrome can be a thing of the past. It is always important to remember that constant use of the hands will continue to worsen the issue, thus if you are suffering from CTS, you will most likely need to continue therapy.