Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated. Thus, you should take action immediately. Whether it involves visiting an orthopedic hand specialist or a physical therapist.

However, many orthopedic doctors may immediately recommend surgery. In rare cases, carpal tunnel decompression can lead to a further lack of nerve function [1].

So you may want to consider physical therapy for your wrist for less severe carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

Call 208-991-2684 to learn more. Otherwise, read on to learn how we can help manage your carpal tunnel inflammation.

What Is a Carpal Tunnel and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel resides in both of your forearms. It connects your wrists to your hands and fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is when you have inflammation in your carpal tunnel. This can lead to various symptoms like:

Weakness or numbness in your fingers
Shooting pain that surges through your wrist and into your hand
“Pins and needles” (paresthesia) in fingers

When you feel tingling or numbness in your fingers, that’s often due to nerve compression caused by carpal tunnel inflammation. And weakness refers to an inability to grip objects.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is not life-threatening, but it can lower your quality of life. Symptoms may interfere with your ability to lift, use a writing utensil, or type.

However, physical therapists and chiropractors can help.

Do Chiropractors Work on Hands?

Chiropractors do work on hands. Regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, they will inspect your wrist for the source of your inflammation. From there, they will make necessary adjustments to ensure you have a properly aligned wrist.

Can a Chiropractor Fix Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A chiropractor will determine whether the source of your carpal tunnel syndrome stems from issues in your upper spine. If so, they will perform spinal adjustments or manipulations to relieve pressure on your nerves.

However, as mentioned, chiropractors do not solely focus on spinal manipulation. They can also perform wrist and elbow manipulations to help relieve pressure on your carpal tunnel.

Chiropractic Care For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Surgery

After carpal tunnel surgery, studies suggest that carpal tunnel syndrome has a 3–25% resurgence rate [2]. That means it has a chance of coming back. And from there, you may need to have another carpal tunnel decompression surgery.

However, finding the root cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome can reduce the need for surgery (or repeat surgery). That is where carpal tunnel chiropractors and physical therapists enter the picture.

They will ensure your wrist has a proper alignment. Doing so will potentially reduce the strain your wrist suffers from. Thus, helping reduce compression on your nerves.

It only takes one visit to deal with your surgery.

But visiting a chiropractor or physical therapist will require many visits. The amount you will need to see them depends on your condition's severity and the specialist's recommendation.

Costs will also significantly vary.

With carpal tunnel release surgery, you'll need to consider what your insurance will cover, anesthesia costs, and the time off of work you will have to take.

If you do not have accrued paid time off hours, the amount you will lose from post-surgery downtime will add up.

Whereas, with carpal tunnel physical therapy, you will only need to pay for visits to the chiropractor.