Conditions Treated

As the professional community ages, the diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to rise. Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly associated with the repetitive movement related to typing on a keyboard with improper hand positioning. Carpal tunnel syndrome creates a burning, numbness, or tingling sensation in the hands or wrists and can occur on one or both sides.

Carpal tunnel release and surgeries associated with relieving the pain associated with carpal tunnel are increasing every year. Unfortunately, the success of these surgeries is only seen in about half of the population. If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and are currently considering your options for pain relief, one you should definitely consider is chiropractic care.
 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist where the median nerve passes through and then into your hand. Any inflammation or swelling of the carpal tunnel can constrict or cause pressure to occur on the median nerve. This interruption of your nerve's ability to function can cause the suite of problems associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome and while scientists are not certain why this occurs, they suggest that it may be due to the smaller size of the carpal tunnel in women when compared to their male counterparts.
 

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome can be notoriously difficult. Any issues with the median nerve anywhere in the body can cause similar problems, making it difficult for an initial diagnosis. Some of the other possibilities that your chiropractor will try to rule out are arthritis, subluxations, or herniated discs in the spinal column that may interfere with the medial nerve before it reaches the carpal tunnel.
 

Conducting Invasive Treatments

While your doctor may suggest surgery as a possibility, it is essential to recognize that there are many possible misdiagnoses and complications associated with this procedure. The high number of ineffective operations suggests that there may have been a misdiagnosis in the first place.

 Additionally, surgeries require significant preparation, cost, and recovery time. So before you schedule an invasive procedure, it would be wise to meet with your chiropractor and get their opinion first.
 

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Chiropractic Care

Many people overlook the potential option of chiropractic care before they schedule their surgeries. This may be because many people think that chiropractors only deal with issues as they relate to the back and neck.

However, chiropractors are trained to deal with issues concerning the nerves that travel throughout the body. They have specific knowledge about non-invasive techniques that reduce or eliminate the problems that may be associated with nerve damage or restriction.

In the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, your chiropractor will review the entire course that your medial nerve travels throughout the body to ensure they can identify where the issue is occurring.

The median nerve originates in the cervical spine and your chiropractor will follow the path of the nerve to the hand and then use techniques to help alleviate your pain.

One of these techniques involves the gentle manipulation of the cervical spine, elbow, and wrist to try to reduce pressure on the nerve. Your chiropractor may also use other non-invasive techniques such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat therapies to alleviate your pain.
 

Overview

If you opt to not get carpal tunnel syndrome treated, it may lead to long-term or permanent damage to the median nerve which can cause permanent numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand. If you are concerned with any of these issues, schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor today. They can quickly help you identify some of the potential issues and get you started on the path to recovery.

Fibromyalgia diagnoses have been increasing as awareness has risen. Many individuals now feel that they can seek help from the medical field for their issues, although treatments are generally more difficult to understand. Many people who have fibromyalgia also complain about the lack of effectiveness that many treatment options offer. However, chiropractic care has become an increasingly common and successful treatment option for patients with the disease.
 

Understanding Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by a laundry list of signs and symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Widespread musculoskeletal pain

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Sleep loss

• Memory issues

• Mood changes
   

While the cause is still being investigated, researchers believe that the disorder amplifies pain signals that are sent to the brain. This means that the normal pain sensation of a pinprick to the finger can instead feel like a searing stab wound.

While fibromyalgia is most commonly diagnosed in women, individuals that suffer from headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), anxiety, depression, or irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The disease is also commonly linked to another traumatic injury or surgery. Symptoms may appear instantaneously or gradually increase in severity.

As fibromyalgia research continues, we can expect to see more definitive answers to our questions. Currently, researchers believe that the disorder may be caused by genetics, past infections, physical trauma, or a combination of the three.
 

Treatment Options

• Medications – A suite of medications may be an option for patients. These medications can include pain relievers, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medications. Pain medications can help to reduce the pain experienced due to fibromyalgia and can offer some comfort. Anti-depressants have been used to help treat or lessen the effects of the disorder on fatigue and sleep habits. Anti-seizure medications help reduce the overall impact of fibromyalgia, and some have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However, many medications contain serious side effects and should be used with caution under the direction of medical professionals.

• Counseling – While counseling may not directly reduce the effects of fibromyalgia, it can be helpful for patients to talk with a professional about some of the issues that they are facing. Therapy can be beneficial in teaching patients how to cope with the effects of the disorder and strategize effective solutions in dealing with future difficulties.

• Chiropractic – Several modern studies have reviewed the effects that chiropractic care and adjustments offer to individuals that are suffering from fibromyalgia. The results suggest that chiropractic isn’t just helpful, but that it is “Quite Effective.” Another study indicated that patients saw significant improvement in their sleep, fatigue levels, and the amount of pain they experienced after just 15 adjustments.
   

It’s not a tough decision for many health-conscious patients to decide to make chiropractic care a critical component of their overall treatment plan. The potential adverse effects that medications pose can help to make that decision even easier. As medications that contain addictive chemicals such as opioids are more prominent in the news, many physicians are also more likely to suggest non-addictive treatment options.

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia does not have any known cures. This means that your potential treatment options may need to be considered as long-term options to contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of your life.
 

Overview

Many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are faced with numerous difficult decisions when it comes to their treatment. The pain can be debilitating, but the addictive nature of many pain medications can leave people feeling scared and helpless and with no known cures, it may feel challenging to face the future. Chiropractic care offers a safe and effective treatment option that can be continued throughout your treatment. If you are considering chiropractic care as a part of your treatment plan for fibromyalgia, please call and schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today to see what they can offer to help alleviate your pain and discomfort.