What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
To understand what carpal tunnel syndrome is, one must focus on its main subject: the median nerve. This nerve starts at the neck and traverses the shoulder, ending in the hand. At this point, the nerve passes between the two wrist bones, which form a narrow passage called the carpal tunnel or canal. This tunnel, which connects the forearm to the wrist, is complemented by tendons and ligaments. This complex allows the fingers to flex but primarily enables the thumb, index finger, and middle finger to feel sensations to touch.
When the median nerve is compressed within this passage, the patient then experiences abnormal sensations and pain. This condition can occur as the patient ages and can affect workers from all backgrounds. It is often necessary to consult a healthcare professional to recover from this syndrome.
How Long Does It Take to Heal from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The healing time for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on several factors beyond the severity of the syndrome and the patient’s condition. The longer the numbness and pain have been present, the longer the remission will be. Healing times can therefore vary from weeks to months on average. As a last resort, the patient may undergo surgery, but this procedure carries a relatively high recurrence rate.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
At its onset, a person affected by carpal tunnel syndrome may experience tingling and numbness in their fingers. Furthermore, symptoms may be stronger at night because patients sometimes flex their wrist while sleeping. The patient may also experience a loss of sensation in the palm side of the hand, specifically in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
As the condition worsens, one may be awakened by increasing numbness, sometimes accompanied by pain. It is, however, possible to relieve these symptoms by shaking the hand or changing positions. These pains can become more frequent throughout the day. They can intensify during manual activities requiring gripping, such as holding a tool or working at a computer.
In more advanced stages, carpal tunnel syndrome affects the fine motor skills controlled by the median nerve, resulting in weakness gripping or manipulating small objects. In some chronic cases lasting a long time, damage to the nerve supplying the thumb muscles may even cause muscle atrophy.
What Factors Can Trigger Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Factors affecting the soft tissues of the carpal tunnel or the bones are responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome. When these tissues become inflamed or swollen, they narrow the available space. The nerve then becomes compressed and no longer functions properly.
This situation can occur due to poor wrist posture. For example, if it is permanently flexed or extended, the risk of compression increases. This is the case for people working at desks whose wrist posture is not ergonomic when using a mouse or typing on a keyboard.
The same applies if the movements performed by a worker are repetitive, or if they regularly lift heavy loads or use tools that cause vibrations. Construction workers and those with manual professions are often victims of this condition.
The carpal tunnel can also be narrowed following an injury or due to an underlying pathology. For instance, people who have suffered a poorly healed fracture may experience carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Those with arthritis or diabetes may also experience this condition.
Additionally, due to water retention and increased ligament laxity it can cause, pregnancy is also a possible cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Finally, it is important to note that some people may be born with a narrow carpal tunnel predisposing them to nerve compression symptoms.
Who Is Most at Risk of Being Affected by This Condition?
Office workers are the most at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, but manual workers and people suffering from chronic illnesses such as arthritis and diabetes can also be affected.
How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
To establish the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, the chiropractor first carries out a questionnaire to understand the patient’s medical history. At this time, they also inquire about potential daily causes of the patient’s symptoms. The chiropractor then evaluates the patient through tests and manipulations. These tests help identify dysfunctions of the median nerve and the sensations experienced by the patient.
The chiropractor also observes how quickly tingling sensations appear in the patient’s fingers, which reveals the severity of their condition. This allows for planning a tailored treatment.
How Can the Chiropractor Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If the patient’s condition allows, a non-invasive approach is preferred. Initially, this involves manipulating the wrist to restore the alignment of its structure. The chiropractor then focuses on the soft tissues to free the nerve and reduce the strain it experiences. This work aims to restore flexibility and range of movement. Several sessions are often necessary for complete healing. These manual therapy treatments may be combined with wearing a wrist splint at night to reduce wrist flexion.
If the pain is very intense and interferes with the patient’s daily activities, they may be referred to a doctor or pharmacist for pharmaceutical care. In cases of severe pain, the chiropractor again favors natural non-invasive treatments such as manual therapy before considering surgery: indeed, in case of recurrence or when expected results are not achieved, surgery can make the condition harder to treat.
At home, it is important for the patient to actively participate in their own recovery by following the prescribed stretching exercises.
Pain Relief of Joint Aches by the Chiropractor
The chiropractor is a healthcare professional who relieves joint pain non-invasively using their hands. Like the bone and ligament complex of the wrist, many joints in the human body eventually become painful due to certain lifestyles. Lower back pain as well as back pain generally are among the complaints for which chiropractors are most frequently consulted.
Rightly so, chiropractic care is offered to all patients seeking to improve their quality of life. Children can also benefit from these treatments, whether their pain is chronic or not. Contact the chiropractic clinic member of ChiroRéseau to learn more.