Carpal tunnel symptoms can make work, sleep and hand use frustrating.
Carpal tunnel syndrome involves irritation or compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the hand. At The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT in Newcastle, Oklahoma, we look at the wrist, forearm, elbow and neck to understand the full nerve pathway before recommending care.
Start with a clear first step.
Consultation, careful examination, any needed X-rays, one complete chiropractic treatment and recommendations to get you well.
Carpal tunnel symptoms come from irritation of the median nerve.
The goal is to understand where along the nerve pathway irritation may be occurring and what movements, positions or repetitive tasks may be aggravating symptoms.
Some people notice numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle or part of the ring finger. Others wake at night with hand symptoms, feel weakness when gripping or notice symptoms during typing, driving or repetitive hand use.
A careful exam can help determine whether symptoms are most consistent with irritation at the wrist or whether the neck, elbow or another part of the nerve pathway may also be contributing.
What may be contributing to carpal tunnel symptoms?
These are common possibilities, not a diagnosis. Your exam helps narrow down what is most relevant to your symptoms.
Joint irritation
Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel at the wrist is the defining feature of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Muscle tension
Repetitive wrist and hand use, prolonged gripping and certain work positions may aggravate symptoms in some people.
Disc involvement
Swelling or reduced space within the carpal tunnel can increase pressure around the median nerve.
Nerve irritation
Nerve irritation higher in the arm or neck can sometimes create similar symptoms and may coexist with wrist-level irritation.
Movement limitations
Diabetes, pregnancy, thyroid disorders and other medical factors can increase the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome in some people.
Work + lifestyle stress
Because hand numbness can have more than one source, it is important to distinguish wrist-level median nerve compression from cervical or other nerve problems.
What kind of care may help?
Treatment depends on what your exam shows. We keep the plan focused on what makes sense for your presentation rather than automatically putting everyone through the same protocol.
Some hand or wrist symptoms need prompt medical evaluation.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every situation. Seek prompt medical attention if hand or wrist symptoms are accompanied by serious injury, rapidly progressing weakness or other concerning neurologic signs.
- Severe pain or deformity after a fall or impact
- Sudden inability to grip or move the hand
- Rapid swelling, redness or warmth
- Fever with a hot, swollen wrist or hand
- A cold, pale or blue hand
- Progressive weakness, numbness or loss of hand control
Carpal tunnel care in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT serves patients from Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle and surrounding communities who are looking for conservative, personalized evaluation of carpal tunnel symptoms, hand numbness, tingling and nerve-related discomfort.
2908 NW 32nd Street Suite B
Newcastle, OK 73065
Call or text: (405) 928-9791
A few common questions.
Chiropractic care may help some people when joint mechanics, repetitive strain or irritation elsewhere along the nerve pathway are contributing. The first step is determining whether symptoms are coming from the carpal tunnel at the wrist or another area.
Spinal decompression does not treat true carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist. It may only be relevant if numbness or tingling is actually coming from a cervical disc or irritated nerve in the neck.
Not everyone with carpal tunnel symptoms needs imaging. Depending on the pattern and severity, Dr. Conner may recommend further evaluation, nerve testing or referral if the diagnosis is unclear or weakness is progressing.
Nighttime symptoms are common because wrist position during sleep can increase pressure within the carpal tunnel and irritate the median nerve, leading to numbness, tingling or burning in the hand.
You do not have to guess what kind of care you need.
Start with an evaluation. We can help you understand whether your hand symptoms are coming from the wrist, the neck or another part of the nerve pathway and what the next step should be.