Chiropractic Beneficial for Carpal Tunnel

Dr. Ernst sees a lot of patients troubled with carpal tunnel syndrome in our busy Arlington, WA chiropractic practice. While some people think that the source of this wrist-related pain is muscular, it's really a syndrome that stems from the nerves--and not just the nerves in your hands.

Recent research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy assessed 71 women between the ages of 35 and 59 who were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Upon studying the subjects' neck range of motion, the authors found that the women had reduced cervical mobility when compared to a healthy control group.

Furthermore, they also discovered that the level of the women's reported carpal tunnel pain was related to the lateral flexion of the cervical spine. In other words, the less mobility in the neck, the higher the level of pain.

This research is very important, as you can't effectively address a condition until you fully understand its cause. By recognizing that the root of carpal tunnel symptoms is in the neck, this means that natural approaches such as chiropractic can often restore normal function, eliminating the need for risky operations.

If you are suffering from carpal tunnel pain, call our Arlington, WA office and ask how Dr. Ernst can help you get relief!

Studies

De-la-Llave-Rincon A et al. (2011, May). Women with carpal tunnel syndrome show restricted cervical range of motion. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy;41(5):305-10.
Simon H. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. University of Maryland Medical Center. Updated May 6, 2012. Retrieved from https://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/carpal-tunnel-syndrome on November 2, 2015.