Do you have pain, numbness or tingling in your arm or wrist or hands? These are all common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and if you are experiencing these symptoms in Denver, we can help.
Once symptoms of pain and tingling appear, the condition frequently worsens and permanent nerve damage can easily occur if not treated properly. To avoid surgery, it is best to seek treatment as soon as your symptoms begin.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a common and troublesome condition that interferes with the use of the hand. It occurs when too much pressure is placed on a nerve that runs through your wrist. In many cases, spinal bones lose their normal motion and position creating pressure or stress on the nerves which in turn causes symptoms – including pain, tingling, and numbness- in the neck, arm, and hands.
In order to better understand CTS, you need to understand the basic anatomy of the carpal (wrist) tunnel and its relation to the spine. The major nerves controlling the arms, hands, and fingers are the Radial, Ulnar and Median nerves. These nerves exit the spinal cord through openings between several bones in the lower neck. They travel from your spinal cord, out of your neck, down the arm, through the wrist bones, and into the fingers. If these nerves become pinched, the result is numbness, tingling, “pins-and-needles,” burning and pain. These symptoms can spread from the middle and index fingers to all five fingers and, in extreme cases, continue up the forearm into the upper arm or even the shoulder.
Treatment for CTS in Denver
Our approach to the detection and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome begins with locating the underlying cause, which is often in the neck or wrist. This is accomplished with a complete consultation, x-rays (when necessary) and a thorough chiropractic, orthopedic, physical and neurological examination from a qualified expert.
After the underlying problem is determined and a diagnosis is made, your treatment options are discussed and a personal treatment plan will be prescribed.
Although carpal tunnel syndrome can be extremely painful, it is highly treatable with early diagnosis and proper treatment. Seeking prompt treatment from a licensed chiropractor is one of the best things you can do if you are looking to avoid surgery.
If you, or someone you know, exhibits any symptoms of CTS, they should be seen by a professional before the problem becomes serious.
PREVENTION TIPS
Please review the following CTS prevention tips. They could save someone from years of pain.
Keep your wrists in a neutral position. Avoid using your wrist in a bent, flexed, an extended or twisted position for long periods of time. Instead, try to maintain a neutral or straight wrist position. This is especially important for anyone who spends a significant amount of time typing!
Watch Your Grip. Gripping, grasping, or lifting with the thumb and index finger can put unnecessary stress on your 
wrist. Whenever possible, use the whole hand and all the fingers to grasp an object.
Minimize Repetition. Even simple, light tasks may cause injury over time. Avoid repetitive movements or holding an object in the same way for too long.
Rest Your Hands. Periodically give your hands a break. Try to alternate easy and hard tasks, switch hands or rotate work activities.
Reduce Speed and Force. Reducing the speed with which you do a forceful, repetitive movement gives your wrist time to recover from the effort. Using power tools helps reduce the force.
Conditioning Exercises. Certain exercises strengthen the hand and arm muscles. They may help by reducing the need to compensate for these weak muscles with poor wrist position.
Our Chiropractic office is conveniently located in Denver, Colorado near I-25 & S. Bellaire St. If you have reason to believe that you may be suffering from CTS, please contact us today to discuss chiropractic alternatives to carpal tunnel surgery. We also offer non-surgical treatment for other medical conditions, including arthritis, herniated discs, etc.