For over 100 years, chiropractic has been used by millions of people to successfully treat neck and back injuries. However, what many people don’t realize is that there are chiropractors who are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of extremities as well. These specially trained doctors can provide relief from a variety of hand and foot related problems.
Today, I want to discuss a common hand problem called, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist or who have suffered a fall onto the outstretched hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve at the point where it passes through the wrist bones (called the carpal bones) and the tough membrane that holds the bones together (called the transverse carpal ligament). This space is called the carpal tunnel, as shown below.
When the bones of the wrist are poorly positioned, the space inside the carpal tunnel area is reduced, and there isn’t enough space for the tendons to slide easily.
Since the carpal tunnel is rigid, when the area inside is reduced, the structures passing through the carpal tunnel start to swell, even with normal daily activities. Any swelling in this area can cause compression of the median nerve. Common symptoms include weakness in one or both hands, numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand, wrist or hand pain, weak grip, and numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers.
The best solution is to perform an adjustment of the wrist bones to enlarge the tunnel and restore proper unrestricted motion to the wrist. Then, depending on the extent of injury, we also incorporate soft tissue treatments such as myofascial release (similar to deep tissue massage) on the muscles whose tendons pass through the carpal tunnel, and therapeutic ultrasound or laser to reduce swelling inside the tunnel. These treatments have helped many avoid unnecessary surgery and ongoing pain.
“I was having wrist and arm pain shooting into my hand, as a result of my work. I tried massage and exercise, but it only got worse. After just one wrist adjustment by Dr. Wagner, my pain was gone!” – W. Dahl
We get great results in our clinic treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other extremity conditions through the use of specific carpal (hand bones) and tarsal (foot bones) manipulation, laser, ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, and massage. Some of the most common conditions we treat are: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Pronator Teres Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, and Plantar Fasciitis.
Hand and foot conditions comprise some of the most common extremity problems that patients suffer from. However, we also successfully treat other extremity conditions such as Rotator Cuff Syndrome, IT Band Syndrome, Bursitis, and Tendonitis.
-Dr. Ward Wagner is a Chiropractic Physician practicing for 18 years in St. George, UT. He is Board Certified as an Independent Examiner and Impairment Rating Physician. He has seen many people’s lives ruined as a result of injury and the side effects of drug; therefore, his primary focus is healing conditions naturally.
If you would like further information regarding extremity conditions, go to dixiechiro.com or call Dr. Wagner at 435-673-1443.
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