Smith Karl V DC

Are you someone with carpal tunnel or do you know someone who does?
Chances are the answer may be yes on both questions.

Carpal tunnel what is it?
The carpal (wrist) bones form a tunnel like structure- called the carpal tunnel- thru which pass nine tendons and one nerve. The median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel occurs when the median nerve is irriated.
This causes tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers and wrist, swelling of fingers, dry palms, blanching of the hand, or pain so intense that it awakens you at night.

Just about anyone can develop carpal tunnel. Office workers, computer operators, musicians,and assembly line workers, dental hygenists, surgical nurses, anyone who works long hours using their hands.
There are occasions when the problem is not carpal tunnel and surgery is not necessary.
Thorasic Outlet Syndrome is a similar condition caused by compression or irritation of the nerves that form the upper back as they exit the neck.
The symptoms include pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the arm. Interestingly, some researchers believe that the hips and lower spine play a role in the cause.

The medical approach to these conditions is to stop using the wrists, wear a splint, use ice, or drugs such as anti inflammatories. However with peristent, symptoms corticosteroids may be injected.
Worse yet surgery may be the next option given. As many as 100,000 operations are performed and recovery from surgery may take from 6 months to 10 years.

In many people these symptoms may have contributing factors, such as poor health of the spine.
Anyone suffering from carpal tunnel pain or thorasic outlet pain should see a chiropractor to ensure that their spinal column is properly aligned and free from nerve pressure.