Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief in Pittsburgh, PA
Dealing with Carpal Tunnel in Pittsburgh?
If you’re suffering from wrist pain, it could be due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition caused by the compression of the median nerve in your wrist. Swelling, often resulting from an underlying medical condition, can cause this nerve compression, which is a common and painful issue. While surgery and medication are commonly used to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, they can be expensive.
Thankfully, a chiropractor in Pittsburgh, PA provides an alternative treatment option that is less aggressive and more affordable. At the Chronic Conditions Center, they have a successful plan to help those struggling with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pittsburgh. If you’re interested in learning more about this alternative treatment option, keep reading.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is characterized by pain, tingling, and burning sensations that begin in the palm of the hand and travel toward the fingertips. Although some patients may experience swelling, it is not always present, and in some cases, it is a perceived symptom rather than a physical one.
Along with these sensations, patients may also experience a weakened grip and difficulty handling small objects. This condition can significantly disrupt a person’s daily routine, and if left untreated, it can lead to hand immobility due to continuous median nerve compression. Seeking treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is crucial to prevent further complications.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when there is swelling and irritation of the 9 flexor tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This in turn puts pressure on the median nerve and causes pain. This condition is often associated with a specific cause, such as a wrist injury or fracture, and can also develop due to repetitive hand movements or the use of vibrating tools in certain occupations.
However, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also occur in individuals who are obese, pregnant or have metabolic disorders affecting the thyroid and pituitary glands. Another common cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is spinal nerve irritation from the neck, which can lead to the condition. A third cause is inflammation or irritation of the pronator teres muscle in the forearm. The median nerve passes through the belly of this muscle. If the muscle is irritated, it can add pressure on the nerve, causing a “double crush” injury. Seeking prompt treatment is essential to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
The Medical Standard of Care
The most common clinical approach to managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes medications, cortisone injections, and surgery. Medications don’t actually fix anything. They only offer “patch care” (or temporary relief of the symptoms). The surgical approach is called a “carpal release”. It involves cutting the flexor retinaculum tendon in the wrist, the decompress the area. According to the medical literature, this surgery has a 57% failure rate. I feel part of the poor clinical outcome stems from the fact that this surgery only addresses issues at the wrist, while not addressing problems that can occur along the path of the median nerve (namely in the neck, brachial plexus, or the forearm).
The New Way of Addressing the Problem
Correcting carpal tunnel syndrome involves addressing problems where they exist. Irritation and inflammation at the wrist can be addressed through chiropractic adjustments, cold laser, and decreasing the intake of inflammatory foods (which contribute to the problem). Metabolically, if the issue is due to thyroid problems, we need to correct that issue in order to then address carpal tunnel problems.
If the problem is stemming from the forearms, it can be addressed through soft tissue therapy, laser, and pulse wave treatments. And if there is neck involvement, we need to correct that through chiropractic care, decompression, soft tissue treatments, and neck traction.
Through a multi-pronged clinical approach, the patient will have a much better chance of full recovery, improve their function and once again be able to do the things they want to do, love to do, or need to do.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Pittsburgh, PA
Your Pittsburgh chiropractor will do a workup which consists of a consultation, exam, and a review of any current x-rays or MRIs. After that, we will create a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Your therapeutic trial may consist of
- corrective chiropractic adjustments
- soft tissue treatments
- laser therapy
- pulse wave therapy
- rehabilitation.
The Doctor may also prescribe herbal or botanical anti-inflammatory supplements. These therapies do not hurt and are very effective at giving long-lasting relief from your toughest pain.
The place to start is by calling us and booking a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reverse carpal tunnel syndrome naturally?
- Reversing carpal tunnel syndrome naturally involves:
- Reducing or eliminating any kind of irritating activity that aggravates the median nerve
- Decreasing inflammation of the flexor tendons of the forearm
- Modifying your diet (to get rid of inflammatory foods)
- Addressing any kind of mechanical problems in the neck
- Wearing a wrist brace (especially when sleeping)
- Correcting the alignment of the bones in the wrist and hands
- Addressing any metabolic complications (like hypothyroidism)
What is an alternative therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Any kind of clinical approach that does not include drugs or surgery is considered an “alternative therapy”. This includes chiropractic, cold laser, pulse wave, and soft tissue treatments. These therapies are very effective.
What is the best long term treatment for carpal tunnel?
The best long term treatment involves things that directly address the root cause of the problem (and don’t merely cover up the symptoms with a chemical).
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpal tunnel?
The fastest way to get rid of this problem includes chiropractic and metabolic approaches.
What is the most effective pain relief for carpal tunnel?
The most effective pain relief is chiropractic.
How do you stop carpal tunnel from getting worse?
The way to stop the issue from getting worse is to address it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many people endlessly procrastinate taking care of a chronic health problem. Issues like carpal tunnel syndrome don’t go away on their own. They get worse over time. So the best thing to do is get it corrected as soon as possible.