Dr. Harrison sees a lot of people afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome in our busy Decatur chiropractic office. While some people think that the origin of this wrist-related pain is muscular, it's really a problem that comes from the nerves--and not just the nerves in your hands.
A recent study 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 investigating the subjects' neck range of motion, the authors discovered that the women had reduced cervical mobility when compared to a healthy control group.
In addition, it was also observed that the level of the women's reported carpal tunnel discomfort was connected to the lateral flexion of the cervical spine. In other words, the less flexibility in the neck area, the greater the level of discomfort.
This study is very important, as you can't successfully resolve a problem until you fully understand its cause. By recognizing that the root of carpal tunnel issues is in the neck, this means that natural approaches such as chiropractic care can often restore normal function, eliminating the need for risky operations.
If you suffer with carpal tunnel pain, call our Decatur office and ask how Dr. Harrison 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.