What You Can Do About Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain and numbness in the hands, wrists, and arms due to damage to the nerves. It is a chronic condition that affects between two and three percent of Americans according to estimates by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Find out what you can do about carpal tunnel syndrome with the help of a doctor at Bethesda Back Center in Bethesda, MD.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a small passageway located in the wrist that’s protected by carpal bones. It guards the nerves and tendons that allow you to move your fingers. When the median nerve is compressed, the result is pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. This wrist-related problem is usually caused by repetitive use of the hands and fingers. It is common in people who type a lot or work at a desk for a living. It also happens in athletes who use their hands and wrists to swing tennis rackets or shoot basketballs. In some cases, carpal tunnel problems run in the family.

Carpal Tunnel Treatments
The symptoms of carpal tunnel can be eased with regular treatment from a chiropractic specialist at Bethesda Back Center in Bethesda. These are the most common treatments that your doctor may suggest for carpal tunnel:

- Chiropractic adjustments
- Acupuncture
- Hand splinting and wrapping
- Exercise therapy
- Ice therapy for swelling
- Carpal tunnel release surgery in advanced cases

How to Avoid Future Issues
Carpal tunnel is a problem that can happen again and again if you have to continue the same activities. If you want to reduce the chance of carpal syndrome reoccurring, keep these tips in mind:

- Wear a wrist brace suggested by your doctor—it will help keep your wrist in the correct position when you type or play sports.
- If you work at a desk, take some time off of work, if possible, to give your wrist a long break and allow it time to heal.
- Take a short break from typing every 30 minutes to an hour to do simple stretching exercises.
- Get a tension ball to squeeze on your breaks.

Learn More When You Visit Your Chiropractor
It’s important that you know everything possible about carpal tunnel syndrome so that you can manage it properly with the help of your chiropractor. Call (301) 897-8500 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gina Beech in Bethesda, MD.