Some people might think that carpal tunnel syndrome is a new
condition of the information technology age, born from long
hours of computer keyboarding. But carpal tunnel syndrome is
nothing new. Evidence of people experiencing symptoms of
carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in medical records dating back
to the beginning of the 20th century.
Bounded by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a
narrow passageway — about as big around as your thumb —
located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects
a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that bend your
fingers. Pressure placed on the nerve produces the numbness,
pain and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal
tunnel syndrome.
The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the
median nerve. The median nerve is a mixed nerve, meaning it
has a sensory function and also provides nerve signals to
move your muscles (motor function). The nerve originates in
the neck.
Fortunately, not all wrist pain should be called CTS. It is
important to determine, if in fact, the pressure on the
nerves of the wrist is causing the symptoms, or if there is
a different cause of the problem. It is VERY common for
these types of symptoms to exist when there is a neck
misalignment, history of auto injury, or other spinal
conditions. The nerves of the neck control all the nerves of
our arms and hands. If the nerves of the neck are being
compressed, wrist and hand pain is a common symptom.
A NUCCA chiropractor offers a corrective procedure that
restores balance to the skull, first cervical vertebrae, and
neck as well as the entire spine. Research has shown through
spinal corrections to be a significant benefit for patients
who suffer from the pain, numbness, and weakness associated
with carpal tunnel syndrome.
