What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Have you noticed an ache in your wrist, accompanied by numbness or tingling? You might have carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve compression. This condition occurs when tissues in the wrist compress the median nerve as a result of inflammation or injury. If you’ve developed pain, you’ll want to speak to our chiropractors to see what can be done. Motus Integrative Health provides a number of services to help individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome feel better. In the meantime, consider a few possible reasons you may have this condition.

Repetitive Motions

One of the biggest risk factors for carpal tunnel is performing repetitive hand motions. Typing, clicking, and working on computers are common causes of inflammation in the nerve. Over time, the muscles that are involved in the repetition become inflamed. This is especially true if the individual has poor posture or uses a setup that does not align with ergonomic principles. Of course, carpal tunnel can affect other occupations, too, such as manufacturing and assembly lines, as long as the reparative motions occur in the arms and hands. 

If you work a desk job, you likely feel fatigued in your hands by the end of the day. Help prevent nerve pain by using a comfortable chair that’s at the right level. Wrists should be about parallel with your elbows, not reaching up at a sharp angle. 

Injuries

Any kind of trauma to the wrist can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is due to swelling that occurs due to the immune system’s response to the wound. Swelling near the wrist can increase fluid retention around the nerve, leading to compression. If you sprained your wrist, you’ll want to have the injury assessed by a health professional to ensure it heals. 

Certain Chronic Health Conditions

Aside from lifestyle factors, there are several health conditions that can contribute to tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. These include arthritis and hypothyroidism. Even if these conditions did not cause the problem, they can make it worse by increasing inflammation of the tissues near your nerve. Chiropractic can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

How Does Chiropractic Help?

No matter what the exact cause of your carpal tunnel is, a chiropractor can help. Chiropractic relieves pain by reducing bodily inflammation, which also can trigger a carpal tunnel flare-up. We use special techniques to help reduce the pain in the wrist, by reducing the pressure placed on the nerve. If you wish to avoid surgery, know that there are options available. Carpal tunnel is treatable using natural, non-invasive treatments. When used alongside lifestyle changes to reduce the daily strain on your wrists, you can feel better. 

Talk to Our Chiropractors about Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

If you are experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms, talk to our chiropractors at Motus Integrative Health right away. We have a wide range of treatments to reduce your pain, so discover which options are best for you. We look forward to assisting you.