Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common complaint that involves inflammation of the median nerve.  This nerve begins in your neck, and goes to the thumb, index, and middle fingers.  The “carpal tunnel” is the area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand.  

Carpal tunnel syndrome shows up as numbness or tingling with weakness in your thumb, index, and middle fingers.  Problems on the pinky side of the hand are likely NOT carpal tunnel syndrome.

This nerve can become inflamed or compressed anywhere between your neck and wrist.   Common trouble spots are around your collar bone (clavicle) and chest muscles (pectoralis minor), and in the elbow area.   Trigger points or inflamed muscles in the neck, shoulder, and forearm can also mimic carpal tunnel symptoms.  These areas need to be considered and examined  when looking at pain and numbness often diagnosed as a carpal tunnel problem, especially if carpal tunnel surgery is being recommended.