Chiropractic Health --
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) results from impingement of the Median Nerve
in the arm. This nerve runs from the neck, down the arm, through
bones in the wrist (carpal tunnel), to supply the hand and thumb.
Irritation to this nerve often results in numbness, tingling, and
pain in the hand and thumb, loss of grip strength in the hand and
thumb, and pain / numbness radiating from the neck and arm.
How Upper Cervical Care Relates to Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
In a
review of medically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome cases, it was
discovered that the majority of patients examined also had
concurrent problems with the cervical spine. Because nerve roots
from the cervical spine form the median nerve in the arm, it has
been suggested that cervical problems can contribute to the onset of
CTS. Many of these patients do not respond to conservative and/or
surgical treatment directed solely at the wrist. Because cervical
nerve irritation and/or compression renders the lower nerves in the
wrist more susceptible to injury, it is essential to properly
correct the cervical problem first if the wrist condition is to
fully resolve.
The purpose of upper cervical care is to correct cervical
spine mechanics that are irritating spinal cord tracts and nerve
roots that extend to the wrist. A similar phenomenon can occur with
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) and cervical radiculopathy (tingling,
pain down the arms). While many carpal tunnel sufferers recall
specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls,
which could have injured their cervical spines, some do not. An
upper cervical examination is
necessary in each individual's case to assess whether an upper
cervical injury is present and whether benefit from upper cervical
care can be achieved.
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