Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand and arm condition characterized by tingling, numbness and pain due to the median nerve being compressed in the wrist and is usually linked to repetitive motions.

Numbness in Hands

Numbness into the hands can vary from a mild annoyance after long hours of repetitive activity, to a debilitating condition that affects any and all activities that require movement of the hand, including gripping, lifting, and fine control. Many people experience numbness into the hands while sleeping. Some people get good relief by wearing a night splint, which helps hold their wrists in a better position. Others will continue to wear soft braces throughout the day to add extra support to their wrists. Those that work long hours on a computer or as a cashier at a busy store are especially susceptible to numbness into the hands.

Numbness Could be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or Other Causes

While many people experiencing numbness into their hands refer to it as “carpal tunnel,” there are actually many causes of numbness in the hands. True carpal tunnel will involve numbness (or possibly pain and weakness) from the wrist into the thumb and first three fingers. If the symptoms travel down the arm, the problem is likely in the neck or shoulder area, which is commonly called “Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.” If the symptoms are less numb and more sharp or achy down the arm, it could be related to a pinched nerve in the neck. In any case, a thorough evaluation is necessary to determine where the problem is coming from.

Chiropractic Treatment for Hand & Wrist Pain or Numbness

The good news is, whether the problem is determined to be from the wrist, shoulder, or neck, numbness in the hands generally responds well to Chiropractic treatment. By gently realigning the bones in the neck, shoulder, and wrist we can improve joint motion and relieve pressure on the nerves leading to the hand. If there is a significant amount of trigger points, or tender nodules in the muscles, deep tissue massage can help address that component as well. Physical therapy is important to retrain and strengthen the involved areas to help keep the pressure off of the nerves and to help keep the numbness from returning.

Give us a call today to schedule an evaluation to see if we can help with the numbness or pain in your hands.