Painful wrists and numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers are common findings in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is a prevalent condition that results in pain, numbness, and tingling in the arm, wrist, and hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) develops when the median nerve gets compressed irritated or damaged.
The Median nerve is the primary nerve of the hand. Compression (impingement) and irritation of the Median nerve occurs as it travels through the wrist on its way to the hand and fingers. Early diagnosis, as well as a targeted curative treatment, is crucial. In its early stages, the carpal tunnel syndrome is treatable with home remedies and measures that avoid aggravations, such as wrist splints or supports. However, neglected CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) can lead to nerve damage and worsening of symptoms. So, seek corrective research-based treatment that repairs the damage as soon as symptoms appear.
What are the Common Symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome?
In Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, symptoms occur gradually over time. We have provided a list of symptoms that are typical in CTS for your review below:
• Tingling and Numbness
• Pain
• Weakness
Tingling sensations or numbness in the wrist, hand, and fingers are common. In CTS, the numbness and tingling sensation impacts the wrists, thumb and index finger, as well as the middle finger (ring finger). Numbness and tingling sensations start intermittently and progress to constant with continued compression of the median nerve.
Weakness develops in CTS patients that have ignored their initial symptoms. Continued irritation or compression of the wrist nerve leads to damage. As mentioned, the median nerve controls the flexor muscles of the wrist and palms. A damaged median nerve is the result of a poor function or weak muscles in the wrist, hand, and fingers. In short, weakness is a sign of nerve damage. It can progress to a degree where sufferers are unable to objects.
Wrist pain results with neglect. In other words, if you ignore the first symptoms (numbness and tingling), the damaged caused lead to poor ligamentous and muscle tone in your wrist and hands. With the loss of muscle and ligament tones, the wrist is rendered unstable. An unstable wrist is prone to injuries that cause pain.
What Causes Carpal tunnel syndrome?
CTS occurs when the tunnel narrows, and the median nerve is irritated. Several factors can cause the narrowing of the carpal tunnel. Repetitive motions, repeated falls, previous injuries, obesity, inflammatory conditions are known causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. Before we get started on what caused carpal tunnel, we must mention that at times, symptoms of CTS occur without an apparent reason. However, below is a list of the known causes of CTS:
• Repetitive movements of the wrist or hand during sports, work or daily activities
• Use of tools that vibrate
• Instabilities or structural weakness in the wrist
• Previous episodes of trauma to the arm, wrist or hand
• Dislocation or fractures of the wrist
• Lesions such as cysts or tumors in the carpal tunnel
• Fluid retention as seen in pregnancy
• Degenerative and arthritic conditions that cause inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Health conditions that impact peripheral nerves and vessels such as diabetes
According to a published article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis significantly increase the risk of developing CTS. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders reports the chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome three times higher in occupations that involve assembly or computers regularly. Regardless of the cause, the need or targeted corrective care is paramount for speedy recovery and avoidance of nerve damage.
Role of the Flexor Retinaculum in Wrist Pain and Carpal tunnel syndrome
The flexor retinaculum is known as the transverse carpal ligament) is a band of fibrous connective tissue on the palm side of the wrist, over the carpal bones. In the wrist, there are eight (8) carpal bones, located distal to the two long bones of the arm (ulna and radius). The eight carpal bones form the carpal grove. Flexor retinaculum attaches to the sides of the wrist. The pisiform and the hamate carpal bones are the attachment of the flexor retinaculum. In essence, the flexor retinaculum provides a roof over the grove, and thus forms the carpal tunnel.
Several structures run beneath the flexor retinaculum or within the carpal tunnel, and these are:
• The Median Nerve
• Nine tendons that flex the wrist, hand, fingers, and thumb
Damage, irritation, or inflammatory condition impacting the flexor retinaculum or any of the nine wrist tendons (tendonitis)lead to CTS. Therefore, opt for treatments that start after an accurate diagnosis is established.
What is the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for CTS?
When diagnosed and treated early, Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are reversible. Improvements in symptoms by steroidal injections and surgery are limited. Invasive procedures for CTS have failed to produce long-term results. As such, it would be wise for you to consider a corrective non-invasive therapy program before opting for injections or wrist surgery.
Chiropractic Specialty Center® offers the most comprehensive spine and joint treatment in Malaysia. Our CTS treatment program in Malaysia is provided through the expertise of the best chiropractors and physiotherapists combined. Best of all, the care you get is non-invasive. Our multipronged integrative system of research-based corrective chiropractic and clinical physiotherapy programs for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients made better with therapy devices that fix and reverse soft tissue damage. In addition to the care you get from us, we provide advice and self-help tips for faster recovery.
What is the Best Home Remedies for CTS?
Splinting or bracing: Wearing a splint or a brace while you go to sleep helps prevent bending your wrist as you sleep. A properly fitted splint keeps the wrist in a neutral or straight position reduces pressure on the nerve in the tunnel. You should wear a CTS splint during the day when you are performing activities, which could aggravate the symptoms of this condition.
Activity changes: Symptoms usually occur when your wrist and hand remain in the same position for an extended period for too long, especially when the wrist is extended or flexed. If your recreational activities or job aggravate your symptoms, modifying or changing these activities could aid in stopping or slowing the progression of this condition. In some instances, this could involve making changes to a workstation or the work site.
Strengthening exercises for the wrist: Some carpal tunnel syndrome patients could benefit from exercises to strengthen and stabilize the wrist and arms. However, you must consult one of our research-based doctors of chiropractic or clinical physiotherapists to ensure your exercises are targeted and specific to your therapy needs.
CTS Treatments are Better through Corrective Research-based Chiropractic Coupled with Clinical Physiotherapy
Some opt for chiropractic care, while others prefer physiotherapy. However, the best option is a combination of both. Physiotherapy with chiropractic treatment is the best alternative to injections or surgery. Collaborative, integrative CTS treatment at chiropractic Specialty Center® is beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Our experts address the following collaboratively:
• Targeted treatments through advanced therapy devices to repair damaged muscles, ligaments and tendons in the wrist
• Realign and stabilize the small bones of the wrist (carpal bones)
• Decompress the median nerve with targeted treatments of the flexor retinaculum
• Muscle, ligament, tendon, and nerve gliding exercises to ensure there is a full and unrestricted motion of the median nerve
• Treat hidden issues in the elbow, shoulder, neck, chest and upper back
To conclude, you don’t need injections or hand surgery to get better. Injections and surgery have failed in the long-term. Experts throughout the world are recommending corrective non-surgical treatments. So, call Chiropractic Specialty Center® today to recover from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or carpal tunnel pain in Malaysia.
