CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
You may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) if you suffer from any
of the following symptoms: tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers,
and wrist; pain so intense it awakens you at night and similar symptoms
in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder, or neck.
The carpal tunnel is formed by the bones of the wrist. Nerves and
tendons pass through this tunnel into the hand. If the wrist bones
forming the tunnel move out of position, inflammation, nerve impingement,
pain, and numbness can occur, thus resulting in CTS.
The relationship between spinal health and carpal tunnel has been
documented by a number of individuals who found spinal nerve root
irritation in patients who had carpal tunnel or ulnar neuropathy.
Others have found that nerve compression in the neck can
block the flow of nutrients to the nerves in the wrist, making it
more suspectible to injury.
Not surprisingly, when 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were
investigated it was found that a large number of those suffering
from CTS also had neck arthritis.
The medical approach tried to relieve the pain by wrist immobilization,
ice, or drugs. If the symptoms persist, corticosteriods may be injected
into the crease in the hand near the wrist which may provide relief
but has a high relapse rate (and many side effects).
Surgery may be resorted to with hand surgeons performing 100,000
operations a year for CTS. Recovery from such surgery may take from
6 months to 10 years. The limitations of standard medical care led
the late Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. to state: "Since the medical
treatment for this conditions is so often unsatisfactory, I have
for years been recommending that my patients consult experts in
muscle and joint therapy.
Anyone suffering from CTS should see a chiropractor to ensure
that his/her spinal column is free from nerve pressure between the
arms and wrists and the nerves in the neck. The musicians,
computer operators, and other workers who suffer from CTS are not
only using their wrists in their tasks-- the neck is also involved.
Altered spinal movements may be creating strain on the neck to cause
or aggravate the condition. Chiropractors have been adjusting patients
spines to better balance their vertebral columns for over a hundred
years. During this period, many chiropractors have observed that
some patients have been relieved of classic carpal tunnel symptoms
after spinal adjustments. A healthy spine can improve your life!
After a through Chiropractic examination, Dr. Ram Parikh will perform
specific adjustments to the wrist and neck to reduce and restore
the proper pathway for the nerves. Chiropractic produces outstanding
results with carpal tunnel syndrome without drugs or surgery.
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