Carpal tunnel syndrome causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and wrist due to compression of the median nerve. While sometimes treated surgically, seeing a chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome provides an effective nonsurgical approach to relieving symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about how chiropractors treat carpal tunnel syndrome, how it works, what to expect, and why residents of Greenwood Village, Centennial, Englewood, and nearby communities are choosing this holistic option.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist composed of bones and soft tissues. These include:
- Carpal bones of the hand
- Transverse carpal ligament along the top
- Flexor tendons running through it
The median nerve also passes through this small tunnel area, carrying sensations from the hand up the arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when excessive pressure compresses this nerve, interrupting normal function.
In addition to numbness, tingling, and pain, symptoms include:
- Hand weakness or clumsiness
- Wrist soreness radiating up the arm
- Fingers feeling swollen even though not visibly enlarged
- Night symptoms disturbing sleep
- Difficulty gripping objects
Symptoms typically affect just the thumb, index, and middle fingers since the median nerve serves those digits. Pain may radiate up as far as the shoulder in some cases.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel compression has several possible causes:
- Repetitive hand motions that overuse wrist muscles
- Inflammation from sprains, arthritis, and repetitive strain
- Anatomic factors like small carpal tunnel space
- Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Hypothyroidism
- Previous wrist fractures or injuries
- Occupations requiring repeated forceful wrist use
By thoroughly evaluating a patient's health history and risk factors, chiropractors determine what's contributing to median nerve compression in order to recommend appropriate treatments.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chiropractors offer several drug-free ways to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms including:
- Spinal manipulation – Adjustments improve shoulder, elbow, and wrist mobility by restoring alignment. This takes pressure off median nerve.
- Massage – Relaxes muscles cramping and constricting the carpal tunnel space. Helps damaged tissues heal.
- Manual mobilization – Directly stretches carpal bones and surrounding tissues encroaching on the nerve.
- Stretching and exercises – Gentle motions prescribed strengthen wrist muscles and reduce inflammation.
- Vibration therapy – Uses gentle vibrational massage to increase circulation, reduce swelling, and heal damaged soft tissues.
- Nutrition – Supplements like vitamin B6 support nerve health and function.
Rather than just treating surface-level symptoms, chiropractors address root causes of median nerve compression for lasting relief.
What to Expect During Chiropractic Carpal Tunnel Treatments
Carpal tunnel therapy performed by chiropractors is very hands-on:
- Evaluation – Chiropractors conduct orthopedic testing of wrist function and thorough neurological exams to assess median nerve damage severity. If needed, nerve conduction studies may be ordered to verify carpal tunnel diagnosis.
- Spinal adjustments – Gentle manipulations performed on spinal segments supplying the median nerve can indirectly decompress the nerve.
- Joint mobilization – The chiropractor will manually stretch and expand the carpal bones encroaching on the nerve tunnel using specialized techniques.
- Soft tissue therapies – These include massage, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial techniques applied to the forearm and wrist.
- Rehabilitation – Prescribed exercises focus on gently stretching and strengthening wrist muscles.
- Lifestyle counseling – Your chiropractor provides activity modification advice and ergonomic changes to prevent re-injury.
Multiple sessions are usually needed to fully decompress the median nerve and restore normal function.
Chiropractic Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Without Surgery
For patients wanting to avoid surgery, chiropractic offers natural relief with these nonsurgical options:
- Decompression traction – Applies gentle traction to the wrist joint, slowly stretching and creating more space for the median nerve.
- Vibration therapy – Specific vibration frequencies increase blood flow, reduce swelling, and help heal damaged carpal tunnel tissue.
- Low-level laser therapy – Cold laser light decreases inflammation around the nerve.
- Ultrasound – Powerful sound waves penetrate deep into tissue encouraging healing.
- Osteopathic manipulation – Specialized techniques gently stretch and free restricted nerves.
- Acupuncture – Specific needle placement redirects nerve signals from wrist to brain disrupting pain.
A study in the *Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics* found chiropractic treatments including these therapies brought significant relief of numbness and pain in carpal tunnel patients, potentially avoiding surgery.
Reference Point Therapy Stretches Tight Carpal Tunnel Soft Tissues
Reference Point Therapy (RPT) is an advanced method that chiropractors specializing in carpal tunnel employ. This involves applying sustained pressure with the thumb or finger directly onto tender reference "trigger points" near the carpal tunnel.
RPT stretches tight joint capsule connective tissues, ligaments, and tendons constricting the carpal tunnel space. As these soft tissues release tension, pressure on the median nerve eases. Patients feel instant loosening of the carpal tunnel area.
Combined with other chiropractic techniques, RPT gently restores normal mobility and function for increased hand strength and reduced numbness.
Customized Motion Rehab Exercises Prevent Carpal Tunnel Re-Injury
To sustain carpal tunnel improvement long-term, your chiropractor will prescribe targeted wrist exercises and stretches. These help strengthen muscles, stabilize joints, and prevent future overuse issues. Recommendations may include:
- Active range of motion exercises gently moving the wrist through its pain-free range.
- Isometric exercises pushing against resistance without joint motion to build strength.
- Stretches holding the wrist in flexible positions like extension and flexion without straining.
- Stress-ball squeezes to improve grip strength and circulation.
- Yoga poses and poses that gently stretch the forearms and hands.
Rehab exercises make progress gained from chiropractic adjustments and massage more permanent.
Lifestyle Modifications Recommended with Chiropractic Carpal Tunnel Care
Along with hands-on treatments, your chiropractor will advise lifestyle changes known to prevent and relieve carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Use proper biomechanics and reduce force when performing repetitive gripping, lifting, and wrist motions.
- Take frequent breaks when repeating hand-intensive tasks.
- Avoid sleeping with wrists curled under. Use a neutral wrist brace if needed.
- Wear splints to restrict wrist flexion during aggravating activities.
- Limit swelling by icing the wrists after any repetitive use.
- Manage associated health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and thyroid disorders.
- Reduce body inflammation through diet, exercise, and stress relief.
With a comprehensive approach, most patients see significant or complete relief of carpal tunnel syndrome and avoid surgery.
Why Choose Chiropractic for Carpal Tunnel Recovery?
Studies show chiropractic care rivals surgery for effectiveness in relieving carpal tunnel syndrome. Benefits of conservative chiropractic treatment include:
- Addresses root causes like spinal dysfunction contributing to nerve impingement
- Avoids surgical risks like infection, scar tissue, loss of feeling, and lengthy recovery
- Uses hands-on, non-invasive joint and soft tissue manipulation
- Incorporates exercise and lifestyle guidance to prevent recurrence
- Provides natural pain relief through improved joint mechanics
- Utilizes low-force and gradual methods for comfortable treatment
For these reasons, more carpal tunnel syndrome patients in Greenwood Village, Centennial, and nearby communities are turning to chiropractors as a first-line therapy before considering surgery.
Let Dr. Leach Relieve Your Carpal Tunnel Pain Without Surgery
Dr. Leach of Greenwood Village Chiropractor has over 25 years experience successfully treating carpal tunnel syndrome and related nerve conditions with nonsurgical methods. He utilizes the most advanced and proven chiropractic techniques to relieve median nerve compression gently and completely.
Patients struggling with wrist and hand numbness, tingling, and pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome achieve lasting relief under Dr. Leach's expert care. He prevents the need for surgery by addressing the root physical causes of median nerve impingement.
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome affecting your work and quality of life, contact Greenwood Village Chiropractor to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leach. Regain comfort, strength, and function in your hands and wrists without the risks of surgery.