If you spend long hours typing on a keyboard, playing a sport that involves the dexterous use of the wrist or fingers, practising an instrument or otherwise using your hands and wrists, then you may be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in your arm and wrist becomes compressed or pinched. This compression, in turn, causes pain, numbness or loss of dexterity in the hand and fingers.

At Yeronga Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Brisbane, we can help alleviate the pain and finger weakness that characterises carpal tunnel syndrome. We understand how much carpal tunnel syndrome can interrupt your day-to-day life—especially if you work extensively with your hands or fingers. Our chiropractor, Dr Aidan McGuigan, will work  to help you get back to full work efficiency by working on decompressing your pinched nerve. If referral for further investigation or treatment is necessary, Aidan will discuss this with you and give appropriate recommendations.

In most cases, carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of repetitive use or overuse. When you are always moving your hands or fingers, the median nerve can become irritated or compressed. Nowadays, the most common cause of this type of compression is repetitive keyboard typing. In fact, patients who are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome often come to Yeronga Chiropractic complaining of symptoms that they describe as ‘keyboard wrist pain.’

Virtually any repetitive motion with the fingers, hands or wrists can cause it. In addition to what you do on a regular basis, and accumulation of repetitive stress from several activities or an injury can trigger it. Lifestyle factors such as excessive drinking, smoking or caffeine consumption can increase your risk of developing the condition. Pregnancy and some metabolic disorders can also contribute.

Carpal tunnel symptoms can also be caused by problems occurring from the spine and shoulder which can refer pain and altered sensation down the arm. Your chiropractor will assess, discuss and manage this appropriately should this be the case.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you will experience strange sensations in your wrist, hand and fingers. Sometimes, carpal tunnel syndrome manifests as a shooting pain through the wrist. Other times, you’ll feel more of a tingly pins-and-needles pain in your hand. Your fingers might also feel like they have less strength, dexterity or range of motion than what you are used to.

Do note that carpal tunnel syndrome does not affect the entire hand. The median nerve only runs to three of the fingers on your hand: your thumb, your index finger and your middle finger. Your ring and pinkie finger, meanwhile, are connected to a different nerve. If you are experiencing pain or tingling in just your thumb, index and middle fingers, that’s an easy way to be reasonably sure that you have carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve involvement elsewhere. If you feel a tingling or pain in your pinkie or ring finger, you could have a nerve issue (ulnar nerve) that isn’t carpal tunnel syndrome. Your chiropractor will manage this appropriately.

Chiropractic care and advice can be a very effective way of treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Similar to many back pain problems, carpal tunnel syndrome emerges due to a compressed/irritated nerve. A chiropractor can relieve some of the pressure on the nerve by performing manipulations on the wrist, elbow, shoulder and spine.

Since the median nerve runs from the neck to the hand, it can feasibly become pinched anywhere along the carpal tunnel. As a result, chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome will usually focus on more than just the hand and wrist. In addition to manipulations and adjustments, chiropractic techniques might also include massage, ice and heat therapy, stretches or therapeutic exercises and more.

Your chiropractor will also be able to provide you with tips to help with injury prevention in the area. If your job or hobby led to carpal tunnel syndrome, you are certainly at risk of reoccurring. From using ergonomic keyboards and mice at the computer to knowing how to stretch and exercise your wrist and hand, your chiropractor will know how to minimise your risk level.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can make it difficult for you to do your job, be productive around the house or participate in the things you love. At Yeronga Chiropractic, we can help you get past this debilitating injury and on to enjoying the full use of your hands and fingers once more.

While some serious cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may require surgery, it is always worth trying out chiropractic first. Our treatments are easier and less invasive and can assist in  recovery for many patients.

If you are interested in seeing what chiropractic treatment can do for your wrist pain or repetitive stress injury, call us at Yeronga Chiropractic and Wellness  Centre on (07) 3892 1440 today.