LOWCOUNTRY CHIROPRACTIC
  • Home
  • Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage
    • Products
  • Español
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Blog
  • New Patient Info
  • Home
  • Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage
    • Products
  • Español
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Blog
  • New Patient Info

Non-Invasive Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

12/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy! Winter is well and truly among us here in the Lowcountry, as evidenced by frosty windshields in the morning and nearly freezing temperatures at night. While these lower temperatures mean we might have to bundle up to stay warm, they mean something different for those who suffer with carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of entrapment neuropathy, which is a “condition in which a nerve becomes compressed, or entrapped, between two other structures in the body… Repetitive motion can cause the ligament and bone to press or rub against the nerve.” 
 
The median nerve, which passes through the wrist into the palm-side of our hands, is what is being compressed. (And the passage this nerve takes is, somewhat obviously, known as the carpal tunnel.) This nerve is responsible for almost all sensation in our hands and fingers, as well as our dexterity. When our wrists swell, due to overuse or a host of other factors, this nerve is compressed. Those with carpal tunnel syndrome experience weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in their wrist and hand. It is possible to have carpal tunnel syndrome in one hand, but not the other. About 2.7% to 5.8% (or between 4 and 10 million) adult Americans deal with carpal tunnel syndrome. Usually, this syndrome is diagnosed in those between the ages of 30 and 60. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis, you are predisposed to developing carpal tunnel as well. Likewise, if you have a job which requires repetitive movements (such as assembly lines, keyboarding, construction, etc.), you are predisposed to developing carpal tunnel. 
 
Winter can be a tough time for those who suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome, as winter conditions are known to exacerbate CTS. A study investigating the seasonal prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome revealed higher rates of CTS diagnosis during winter months (50.8%), the lowest rate during summer months (38.9%), and equal rates during both spring and autumn (43.5% and 42.8%, respectively). These figures suggest temperature does play a significant role in the flare up of carpal tunnel symptoms. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you might notice an uncomfortable stiffness when your hands are exposed to the cold, increased numbness, or difficulty performing tasks. Sometimes, the median nerve can send pain signals up through the arm, neck, and even back. Similar to those with joint pain, those with carpal tunnel syndrome must take great care to stay warm during winter. Similarly, because colder temperatures can slow our blood flow, staying active is important. 
 
For those suffering with carpal tunnel this winter, it’s recommended you wear the proper external gear, including gloves or mittens. If you are going to spend prolonged periods outdoors, you should keep hand warmers in your pockets. To combat stiffness, try stretching your hands regularly. Nothing fancy. Simply bending your fingers back towards your wrist as far as is comfortable and holding for ten seconds is enough. It’s important to take regular breaks when performing tasks with your hands, including cooking and typing. When you experience pain, twinges of numbness, or tingling, you should always stop whatever you’re doing. Continuing to work through the pain is counterproductive and could worsen your condition. If your carpal tunnel is triggered by an underlying medical condition, focus the bulk of your energy on addressing the root issue. If you’ve just come inside from a day spent in the cold, you might soak your hands in warm water or take a warm bath to stimulate blood flow. 
 
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition, which means—If you do not isolate the cause, your condition will steadily decline. A full deterioration of carpal tunnel syndrome could mean limited use of one’s hands, nerve damage, and pain. That’s why it’s crucial to seek medical care as soon as you suspect you might have carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include lifestyle modifications, oral corticosteroids, and wrist splints. The lifestyle modifications seek to cut out whichever repetitive task has triggered the inflammation putting pressure on your median nerve to begin with. Identifying this action shouldn’t be too difficult, as your pain will flare up most notably whenever you try to do this task. The oral corticosteroids are another means of targeting and suppressing your body’s inflammatory response. Finally, a wrist splint is intended to keep your wrist in a neutral position, which—in addition to helping heal inflammation—limits the amount of pressure placed on the median nerve. You might try intermittent icing and heating, as well, to bring down any swelling. 
 
Now this first-line of treatment can be met with positive or not-so-positive results. If the initial condition does not improve, the next line of therapies may include local corticosteroid injections into the affected wrist. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, diuretics, and vitamin B6 might also be used to address inflammation. Ultimately, if nothing else works, open or endoscopic surgery might be recommended. Now, very few people are eager to undergo surgery and the vast majority of us would like to avoid going under the knife at any cost. That’s why I’m here to discuss alternative, noninvasive treatment methods for carpal tunnel. While surgery is sometimes the only path towards healing, it should remain a last resort. There are a few options you might also try before undergoing a surgical evaluation for your carpal tunnel syndrome. 
 
Now, if you haven’t already been diagnosed with carpal tunnel, one of the first things you’re going to want to do is take part in a nerve conduction study. A nerve conduction study is a test which isolates the exact point at which the nerve is being impinged. Why is this important? Because carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. If, indeed, your condition is being caused by the compression of a nerve elsewhere (say, the elbow or the cervical spine), then you’ll need different treatment. I’ve had patients come into my office who underwent surgery for their carpal tunnel and saw no difference afterwards because they were misdiagnosed. They never had carpal tunnel at all!
 
After your nerve conduction study, if your condition is being caused by a nerve compression somewhere other than the carpal tunnel, then you may respond excellently to chiropractic care. The main purpose of chiropractic care is to resolve subluxations. Subluxations are instances where a bone misalignment has caused a nerve to become compressed and, thus, irritated. A chiropractor can adjust the elbow, can adjust the neck, can even adjust the wrist (although if you’re experiencing swelling there, this might not be advised). A chiropractor can adjust any part of the body with joints (including, but not limited to: hands, feet, fingers, toes, legs, arms, backs, and necks). An adjustment of the wrist may be necessary, in the event your nerve conduction study reveals you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, since carpal bones can potentially be pressing on your median nerve and contributing to your condition. 
 
Therefore, your best bet when initially treating your carpal tunnel is to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is safe, noninvasive, and requires next to no downtime. If your first stop for treating your carpal tunnel is a doctor, you’ll probably follow a treatment route similar to what’s outlined above. There’s nothing wrong with such a treatment plan, but to give yourself the best chance at a pain-free life, definitely add a chiropractic appointment to the mix. If you reach out to us at Lowcountry Chiropractic, we’d be more than happy to formulate a plan for your treatment. You can schedule an appointment on our website, email, or call. I would love to perform an initial exam, speak to you about your condition, and begin working towards your pain-free future together. 

Before I leave you, I would like to make note of one more thing. Lowcountry Chiropractic is hosting a food drive this December! That’s right! All food will be donated to the Lowcountry Foodbank. If you bring in five non-perishable food items, we will provide you with an exam, consultation, and x-ray for free. This package is valued at $191, but they are free to new patients! If you’re an existing patient and you refer a new patient to Lowcountry Chiropractic, you’ll receive five raffle tickets. Likewise, if you donate five nonperishable items, you’ll receive one raffle ticket. (Only five tickets per person.) The prizes available in this year’s raffle include a 50” flat screen TV; two $50 Walmart gift cards; and two one-hour massages. Make sure to bring in any items before December 22nd. We hope you’ll participate in this year’s food drive! If so, we’ll see you soon! Thank you for reading!
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All
    A Better Life For The Elderly
    Acid Reflux
    ADHD
    Adjustment
    Adrenal Support Products North Charleston Sc
    Alignment
    Allergies
    Alternative
    Alternative Treatment
    Alzheimer's
    Ankle Pain
    Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis
    Anxiety
    Arthritis
    Avoid Refined Sugars
    Back Pain
    Benefits Of Chiropractic
    Bilingual
    Bilingual Chiropractic Office North Charleston
    Blood Pressure
    Bowels
    Brain
    Brain Function
    Car Accident
    Car Accidents
    Care For Children
    Caring For Knee Pain
    Caring For You During The Pandemic
    Carpal Tunnel
    Carpal Tunnel Bones
    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    Chiropractic
    Chiropractic Adjustments North Charleston Sc
    Chiropractic Care
    Chiropractic Care And Car Accidents
    Chiropractic Care At Any Age
    Chiropractic Care For Children
    Chiropractic Care For Pregnancy
    Chiropractic Care For Pregnant Women
    Chiropractic Care For The Elderly
    Chiropractic Care North Charleston
    Chiropractic Xray
    Chiropractor
    Chiropractor North Charleston Sc
    Chiropratic Care Charleston
    Chiropratic Care For Better Bellies
    Chiropratic Care For Children Is Safe
    Chiropratic Care Summerville
    Chiropratic Myths
    Cholesterol
    Cholesterol Is Bad!
    Cholesterol Isn't Bad!
    Cold And Flu
    Considering Medications
    Consistent Chiropratic Care
    Constipation
    Coronavirus
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    D3 Supplement
    Deductible
    Deep Tissue Massage
    Dementia
    Depression
    Diagnostic Imaging
    Diet
    Donating Food
    Dr. Joseph Mercola
    Eat Healthy
    Eat The Rainbow
    Elbow Pain
    Elderly
    Exercise
    Fasting Blood Sugar
    Fixing Subluxations
    Fix Your Subluxation
    Flu Season
    Foot Pain
    Frequently Asked Questions
    GERD
    Geriatric
    Giving Back To North Charleston
    Giving Back To Summerville
    Giving Back To Your Community
    Go Green
    Good Mattress
    Good Night Sleep
    Good Pillow
    Hand Pain
    Headache
    Headache Cluster
    Headaches
    Healthcare For Children
    Healthy Body
    Healthy Cholesterol
    Healthy Diet
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Healthy Spine
    Helping The North Charleston Food Bank
    Herniations
    High Blood Pressure
    High Cholesterol Is Caused By A Bad Diet.
    Hip Flexor
    Hip Pain
    Hispanic
    Holiday Promotion
    Holiday Promotion 2020
    Holidays 2020
    Holidays 2020 Charleston
    Holiday Safety
    Holiday Safety For Your Back
    Holiday Safety For Your Back 2020
    Immune System
    Important Stretches
    Infectious Arthritis
    Insurance
    Knee Pain
    Knees
    LBP
    LDL Molecules
    Lower Back Pain
    Margarine Is Better For You Than Butter.
    Massage
    Massage North Charleston Sc
    Massage Therapy
    Mattress
    Migraine
    More Things To Consider For Measuring Heart Health
    Natural Care
    Natural Remedies
    Neck Pain
    Nerve Damage
    New Years Resolution
    NMR Profile
    No More Refined Sugar
    Non-invasive Treatment Options
    North Charleston Foodbank
    Osteoarthritis
    Our FAQ
    Our Office Speaks Spanish
    Out Of Alignment
    Pain Management
    Pandemic
    Pandemic 2020
    Peripheral Neuropathy
    Pillow
    Pinched Nerve
    Post-Accident Care
    Pregnancy
    Prenatal Chiropractic Care
    Preventative Care
    Prevntion
    Proper Nutrition
    Psoas Muscles
    Psoriatic Arthritis
    Quality Of Life
    Reasons Behind Knee Pain
    Refined Sugar
    Rehabilitative Care
    Research
    Rest And Relax
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Safe Driving
    Sciatica
    Seasonal Allergies
    Shoulder Pain
    Sinus Issues
    Skull Pain
    Sleep/Rest
    Spanish
    Spanish Speaking Chiropratic Office North Charleston
    Speaking In Spanish For Patients
    Spinal Stenosis
    Spine
    Statin Drugs
    Stress
    Stretches
    Stretching
    Subluxation
    Supplements
    Surgery
    Swedish Massage
    Tension Headache
    Tension Headaches
    The Brain
    Therapeutic Massage North Charleston Sc
    The Wellness Formula
    Tips
    Unhealthy Cholesterol
    Vaccination
    Vaccinations
    Vaccine
    Visit Your Chiropractor
    Vitamin D3
    Vlog
    Vlogs
    Vlogs In Spanish
    What Are The Healthy Non-prescription Ways To Treat Your Cholesterol And Heart Disease?
    Whiplash
    Whip Lash
    Whole Body Chiropractic
    Why The Elderly Should Recieve Chiropractic Care
    Workout
    Work Out
    Wrist Pain
    Xrays For Chiropratic Care
    You Don't Need To Be In Pain To Visit Your Chiropractor

    RSS Feed

Dr. Bob Salamon
8988 University Blvd., Suite 104
North Charleston, SC 29406 
843-553-9383

bob.salamon@lcchiropractic.com
Office Hours:
​M, W, F: 10:00AM - 1:00PM & 3:00PM - 6:00PM
Saturday: By Appointment Only
Closed T, Th, Sunday


Site designed by Creative Consulting
Site powered by MadeSimply