Surgical procedures seem to be the means of dealing with the problem by the majority of the people; however, with the cost of a single procedure ranging anywhere from $6,000 to $11,000, more people are looking for a conservative approach. Our team from a Omaha chiropractic clinic has some general carpal tunnel information as well as information on alternative options for treatment.
CARPAL TUNNEL IN Omaha
Carpal Tunnel is considered as a potential condition for any patient that comes into our office experiencing a form of wrist pain. Patients usually report burning, tingling or swelling that originates from the first finger to the third. Misalignments in the wrist cause the median nerve to be compressed and this compression leads to a weakness in the hand. Many people find it difficult to pick up a small object. It is not uncommon for people to think there is swelling in their hand even when no swelling is present.
Most patients are unsure how their carpal tunnel syndrome developed. With this said, it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of an individual's carpal tunnel syndrome. Some patients do report a wrist injury with pain arising after the incident. There are also many work environments that contribute to the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Any job that demands a repetitive motion of the hand or uses of a vibrating tool can lead to this condition over time. We have also seen cases in which a metabolic disorder (thyroid or pituitary conditions) can cause a patient to feel pain.
The dominant hand is usually the first site of pain when someone begins to develop carpal tunnel; however, this can depend on the activity of the person. Seeing symptoms in both hands is not unusual. It is unfortunate that in a lot of cases the site of the issue goes untreated as the focus is put on where the pain is occurring. Nerve irritation in both arms can stem from the spine and is seen in many carpal tunnel situations. This is the exact reason as to why a large proportion (40%) of surgeries to resolve carpal tunnel are ineffective. It is also worthy to note that carpal tunnel is 3 times more prevalent in women just based on the size of the tunnel itself.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TREATMENTS AVAILABLE?
The underlying cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome will affect the treatment that you receive. Physical therapy, decompression surgeries, and medications provide short-term relief but fail to correct the main interference. As in any situation, it is recommended that you start with a non-invasive treatment. Correction of the nerve interference in the spine should refrain symptoms from reappearing. An examination of your condition will provide our team with the correct information to create a treatment plan that is unique to you. Substantial improvements have been noted following adjustments of the spine. Wrist bone adjustments may be considered if symptoms continue after spinal adjustment.
Our Omaha chiropractic team at Hauptman Chiropractic Clinic understands how difficult the process of treating carpal tunnel syndrome can be; however, we are here to make it as stress-free as possible. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about carpal tunnel.