Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand when a nerve in the wrist gets squeezed. The wrist is not always the only place the problem starts, though. Irritation in the neck, shoulder, or elbow can add to the same symptoms. At Anchor Point Chiropractic in Plymouth, MA, we check the whole path of the nerve, from your neck to your fingertips, to find what is really causing your carpal tunnel symptoms.
What Carpal Tunnel Feels Like
Carpal tunnel symptoms often start small. You might notice tingling in your fingers while driving, or wake up at night with a hand that feels asleep. Over time, the symptoms can show up more often and last longer.
Common signs of carpal tunnel include:
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger
- Symptoms that wake you up at night or are worse in the morning
- A weak grip or trouble holding small objects
- Dropping things more often than usual
- Aching or burning that travels from the wrist up into the forearm
If your pinky finger tingles too, or the numbness reaches higher up the arm, that is a clue the problem may involve more than just the wrist.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in your wrist. The median nerve runs through it along with several tendons. When that space gets crowded, the nerve gets pinched and starts sending warning signals.
Repetitive Hand and Wrist Use
Typing, using a mouse, working with tools, and other repeated motions can irritate the tendons in the wrist. As they swell, they take up more room and press on the nerve. Many people with desk jobs, trade jobs, or hobbies like knitting or gaming deal with this.
Wrist Position
Keeping your wrists bent for long periods narrows the carpal tunnel. Sleeping with your wrists curled under you is a common cause of nighttime symptoms.
Pregnancy
Fluid retention during pregnancy can put extra pressure on the median nerve. Many expecting moms notice carpal tunnel symptoms, especially in the third trimester. Our pregnancy chiropractic care page explains how we help moms stay comfortable during pregnancy.
Health Conditions
Diabetes, thyroid problems, and arthritis can all make carpal tunnel more likely. If you have one of these conditions, it is important to keep your primary doctor in the loop about your symptoms.
Why Your Neck Might Be Involved
The nerves that run to your hand start in your neck. On the way to your fingers, they pass through the shoulder, elbow, and forearm. Tension or irritation at any point along that path can cause tingling and numbness in the hand.
Sometimes a nerve is irritated in more than one place at once, such as in the neck and the wrist. When that happens, treating only the wrist may not bring full relief. That is why we look at the whole arm and neck, not just the spot where you feel symptoms. You can learn more about this on our arm and hand tingling and numbness page.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Carpal Tunnel
Chiropractic care for carpal tunnel focuses on taking pressure off the nerve wherever it is being irritated. That can mean working on the wrist itself, the joints above it, or both.
What We Look for During Your Exam
Your exam starts with questions about when your symptoms began, which fingers are affected, and what makes them better or worse. We then check how your neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist move, and test grip strength and sensation in your hand.
Both Dr. Jeffrey Vitenas and Dr. Jessie Swink review your case. With nerve symptoms that can start in more than one place, that second set of eyes helps make sure nothing gets missed.
What Care May Include
Both of our doctors adjust the wrists, elbows, and shoulders, not just the spine. Depending on your exam, your plan may include:
- Gentle adjustments to the small bones of the wrist to improve movement
- Adjustments to the elbow and shoulder if those joints are adding to the problem
- Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and upper back to ease nerve irritation closer to the source
- Guidance on wrist position, workstation setup, and simple changes to your daily routine
Visits usually take 15 to 20 minutes, which makes it easier to keep up with care around a busy work schedule.
When to See Another Provider
Chiropractic care is a good place to start for many people, but some cases need medical attention. We will refer you to your primary doctor or a specialist if you have:
- Numbness that is constant and does not come and go
- Shrinking or flattening of the muscles at the base of your thumb
- Weakness that is getting worse over time
- Symptoms that are not improving with care
Some people need a wrist splint, an injection, or surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. If your exam shows signs that point in that direction, we will tell you right away and help you take the next step.
Tips to Ease Carpal Tunnel Symptoms at Home
A few small changes can take pressure off your wrists while you work on the cause:
- Keep your wrists straight, not bent up or down, while typing or using tools
- Take short breaks every 30 to 60 minutes to stretch your hands and shake them out
- Loosen your grip on tools, pens, and your steering wheel
- Avoid sleeping with your wrists curled under your body or pillow
- Set your keyboard and mouse at elbow height
Many Plymouth patients who work at a desk or in the trades find that these habits make a noticeable difference between visits.
Carpal Tunnel FAQs
Can a chiropractor help with carpal tunnel?
For many people, yes. Chiropractic care can help relieve pressure on the nerve at the wrist and along the rest of the arm and neck. Results vary based on how long you have had symptoms and how severe they are.
How do I know if it is carpal tunnel or a pinched nerve in my neck?
The two can feel very similar, and sometimes both are involved. An exam that checks your neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist helps us tell the difference and target the right area.
Will I need surgery for carpal tunnel?
Many people never need surgery, especially when symptoms are caught early. If your exam shows signs of severe nerve compression, we will recommend you see a specialist to talk about all of your options.
Get Relief for Carpal Tunnel in Plymouth
If numb fingers or a weak grip are getting in the way of work or sleep, an exam can help you find out where the problem starts. Contact Anchor Point Chiropractic to schedule your visit.
