Carpal Tunnel in Watertown?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that happens when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed by swelling, often due to an underlying medical condition. It is one of the most common conditions affecting the nerves. Traditionally there were few options to deal with this problem and those available, such as surgery and medication, were invasive and expensive. Fortunately, chiropractors in Watertown have success treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with a more conservative and gentle approach. If you are wondering whether your wrist pain is caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and want more details on the alternative treatments available from Watertown chiropractors, then read on.

Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Watertown

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually accompanied by sensations of burning, pain, tingling, or swelling in the palm of the hands and extends into the first three fingers and the thumb. Occasionally people also report a feeling of swelling in the hand even when no swelling is present. Patients commonly experience weakness in the affected hand and have difficulty with picking up small objects. This condition can have a major impact on a person's lifestyle and in some sever cases, if left untreated, the damage to the median nerve can cause permanent loss of movement in the hand.

What is the Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The pain experienced with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a result of the swelling and misalignment of tissues and bone which then press on the nerve. Often there is an underlying problem. Some patients have had an obvious injury, a stress or break to the wrist, that causes the symptoms to develop.

The most common cause is related to occupations that involve the long term use of vibrating instruments and the repetitive use of the hands and wrist. At other times, this issue seems to develop out of nowhere. Metabolic disorders involving the pituitary and thyroid gland can be a contributing factor to the unexplained development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, as can pregnancy and obesity. More commonly, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, that develops in one or both wrists without a clear cause, is the result of a nerve irritation stemming from the spine.

How is Carpal Tunnel Treated?

If left untreated, CTS may result in permanent neurologic damage. Various authorities, including the AAOS and the American Academy of Neurology recommend conservative management before considering surgical alternatives.  .   Another systematic review of carpal tunnel syndrome research comparing surgical vs. non-surgical (ie, splint, steroid injection, or physical therapy) outcomes found: “No significant differences at 3 or 12 months” in terms of functional status, symptom severity, and nerve conduction outcomes.

Dr. Dingsor specializes in the following to release the nerve and keep it healthy:

• Myofascial Release: to reduce compression on the nerve
• Extracorpeal Shockwave Therapy: Releases pressure on the soft tissue around the nerve
• Laser Therapy:  To regenerate myelin (the insulation) around the nerve
• Neuro glides: improves the blood flow to the nerve and reduces compression on the nerve

Below is an example of a neuroglide to keep the nerve released after treatment.