Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Williamsburg
Meet Dr. Daniel Shaye, your go-to authority on all things related to nerves, muscles, joints, and the human frame. If you’ve ever come across the term Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or even received that diagnosis, let’s dive into the real deal.
What is true Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Let’s break it down. There’s a nerve called the median nerve that runs through your wrist along with several tendons in a kind of tunnel. The “roof” of this tunnel is made of connective tissue. True Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve gets trapped and/or inflamed in the tunnel. You might have heard about nerve tests that claim to have all the answers, but they often provide only part of the picture. That’s where your history, hands-on tests, and the insights of a skilled professional come into play – they’re the real deal when it comes to uncovering the root cause.
Now, the median nerve is the reason you can feel things with your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb-side of your ring finger. Anything bothering the pinkie side of your hand probably isn’t Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It’s like this: “If the wire doesn’t go there, it ain’t the source of the problem.” The median nerve has its origins in the neck, and takes a journey to the hand; and sometimes it gets pinched or irritated along the way. The problem could be in your forearm (a muscle called pronator teres is a common culprit), or even up in your neck where the “wire” comes off the spinal cord. In addition to nerve compression, there are nerve bundles and blood vessels can and often do get caught up in other spots – think collarbone (clavicle) and chest muscles (pectoralis minor), which can interfere with the nerve along its path. But when it comes to getting the right treatment, nailing down exactly where the trouble is hiding is crucial.
How Can You Get Relief?
Sure, some folks find relief through surgery that involves snipping the transverse carpal ligament to make more room for the median nerve – they call it carpal tunnel “release.” But here’s the thing: many folks find their grip weakens after the procedure, and it’s not uncommon for the tingling and pain to stage a comeback. We’ve seen many patients who got the surgery on one side, the other side, both sides – or more than one time, on one or both sides.
Now, here’s a game-changer: managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and look-alike conditions without surgery. It starts with a solid assessment. Did you know around a quarter of women will wrestle with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or something like it during pregnancy? Anti-inflammatory medications and surgery aren’t always the answer. Whether you’re expecting or not, playing it cool and making non-surgical methods your first line of defense is a smart move. Sometimes wearing a splint at night does the trick, while others find relief through the skillful hands of chiropractors. Doctors of chiropractic may adjust your wrist, work on your forearm, or you may find they need to work on your neck muscles like the scalenes (the nerve trunk that becomes your median nerve goes right through these muscles); and don’t be surprised that by adjusting your neck, that your “Carpal Tunnel” symptoms begin to improve. It’s safe, effective, and when done right, can fix the problem at its source. So, if Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is giving someone you know a hard time, put the thought of checking out a chiropractor on their radar.
Book Your Consultation & Exam Today!
Chiropractors like Dr. Daniel Shaye are not only great at diagnosing and treating common issues affecting your hands and forearms, but they’re also all about prevention. If your job or daily routine puts you in the danger zone for injuries, these highly skilled and trained professionals have your back, offering practical ways to dodge short-term and long-term hassles. Simple changes like adjusting your keyboard, desk setup, or workstation, can speed your recovery. Your Doctor of Chiropractic is on it, ready to give you pointers for a smoother ride.
Book today for your assessment and see how chiropractic can work for you.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/ds00326/dsection=treatments-and-drugs
Nancollas, et al. “Long-Term Results of Carpal Tunnel Release.” Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume),
Vol. 20, No. 4, 470-474 (1995).
Voitk, et al. “Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy.” Can Med Assoc J. 1983 February 1; 128(3): 277-281.
