Our chiropractor at Bossier Chiropractor Diagnostic & Treatment Center can diagnose and treat your carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) without surgery. This is because we utilize chiropractic techniques and lifestyle changes that will help alleviate your symptoms.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a diagnosis that refers to a compression of the median nerve. The median nerve travels from the arm into the hand through the carpal tunnel. This small tunnel is comprised of various soft tissues and the bones of the hand. When these tissues and/or the bones put pressure on the median nerve or the nerve becomes inflamed, it causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Causes and Risk Factors of CTS

CTS is primarily a repetitive motion injury. It is caused by frequent use of the hands. Individuals in certain career fields are more likely to develop symptoms of CTS, including typists, computer operators, electricians, plumbers and assembly line workers. Certain illnesses and condition can contribute to the development of CTS, including being overweight, having hyperthyroidism and having diabetes. It also commonly occurs in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel symptoms can be mild or severe. Most individuals notice worse symptoms when they go to bed and right after they wake up.

  • A loss of function of the median nerve
  • Hands have a tendency to “fall asleep”
  • Numbness, especially after getting into bed
  • Numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and fingers during the day
  • Pain that travels into the shoulders, especially after first waking up

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome involves diligence. To help avoid diseases and conditions that contribute to the development of CTS, it is imperative that you stay active through sports and/or regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

If you have a job or a hobby that involves using your fine motor skills or twisting your hands and wrists a lot, take frequent breaks. If you work at a computer, make sure your keyboard, monitor and chair are adjusted to help you maintain your seated posture. You also want to keep your hands aligned with your arms when you type.

Chiropractic Treatment for CTS from Our Chiropractor in Bossier City, LA

Chiropractic treatment for CTS with our chiropractor in Bossier City, LA starts with a physical evaluation and a medical history. Our chiropractor will also have you perform a few tests to see if the symptoms can be duplicated in our office. After we have a complete diagnosis, a custom treatment plan will be developed to help unpinch your median nerve and restore the function of your hands while reducing your symptoms. Common treatments include chiropractic adjustments, lifestyle advice and certain corrective exercises.

Chiropractic Adjustments

If the bones in your wrist are slightly misaligned, they can cause inflammation and put pressure on your median nerve. Aligning these joints with chiropractic adjustments helps reduce inflammation while correcting the alignment of the bones and improving range of motion of the joint.

Lifestyle Advice

In order to avoid aggravating your hands and wrists, our chiropractor will recommend certain lifestyle changes, which may include practicing good posture while standing and sitting, avoiding tasks that increase your symptoms and alternative ways to perform your daily tasks. Our chiropractor may also recommend splinting to help keep your wrists straight.

Corrective Exercises

Certain exercises and stretches may be able to strengthen your wrists and improve the flexibility of your hands, especially Yoga and Yoga-like exercises and stretches.

To schedule an appointment for your CTS symptoms, call us at 318-745-9855.