Hand numbness isn’t always carpal tunnel

CLIFTON PARK (Feb. 11) — Many people with hand or finger pain/numbness/tingling think they have carpal tunnel syndrome. They look up the symptoms on the internet and do different things to make it better, but what is carpal tunnel?

True CTS is when the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist becomes damaged or inflamed and causes irritation to the hand’s median nerve. This is what causes the characteristic numbness, tingling and weakness into the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.

This irritation can come about from repetitive motions such as writing, using a mouse or keyboard, scanning groceries, playing a Wii or iPod Touch or the like.

It is important to get a proper diagnosis because there are many causes of hand/finger numbness/tingling/weakness other than CTS. You need to figure out the true cause of your symptoms, so you don’t treat the wrong area.

Carpal tunnel surgery has about a 57% failure rate. At least one of the following symptoms — pain, numbness, tingling sensations — reoccurred within 6 years, according to a 1995 study. This is because a surgery is often performed to remove the symptoms, but the symptoms’ cause is something else. Other possible causes could be:

  1. A thyroid condition can lead to fluid retention in the body. This causes mechanical pressure on nerves, and the median nerve is often affected.
  2. The most common real cause of CTS-like symptoms is an issue with the neck muscles and spine. The median nerve originates from the spinal cord, comes out between the neck vertebrae and goes through a bunch of muscles in the neck and arm before ending in your hand. If the nerve gets irritated at any of these levels it can cause symptoms into the hand. Many people with CTS symptoms also have neck pain or a history of car accident, whiplash or poor posture … which leads to No. 3.
  3. Poor posture/ergonomics can also predispose someone to CTS symptoms. If you do not have proper curvature or alignment of your neck, it can cause inflammation and irritation to the neck’s nerves and muscular structures.

To treat CTS symptoms:

  • You first want to find out where exactly they are coming from. This can only be properly done by a physician. Chiropractors specifically look at all the areas that can cause these symptoms to determine the exact location and proper treatment.
  • B vitamins are commonly prescribed for CTS symptoms because they help to heal nerves damaged by inflammation and other causes.
  • Fix your posture.

Chiropractic care is safe and effective in the treatment of many conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractic methods are noninvasive, nonsurgical and drug free, and many times can correct the problem without further intervention.

Antonio Marotta D.C. is a Clifton Park chiropractor.

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