What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If you are experiencing numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or arms, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a small tube on the underside of your wrist, near the palm of your hand. Its primary function is to protect a main nerve to your hand and the nine tendons that enable your fingers to bend. When the nerve is compressed, it will cause sensations of numbness, tingling and, ultimately, weakness in your hands, which is what we call carpal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, most people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome are able to restore the function of their hands and wrists by receiving medical treatment for their condition. Here are some common causes for carpal tunnel syndrome and what you can do to prevent it from worsening.

Repetitive Movement– If your job involves typing on a computer keyboard, or if you are a pianist or do any other activity that overextends your wrists, you may be at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Special armbands that provide wrist support are available for purchase, or you may want to look into a special, gel-filled wrist pad that sits on your desk at the bottom of the keyboard, so your wrists have a comfortable place to rest. Also, don’t forget to take frequent breaks to stretch when using a keyboard, so you are at less risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries.

Wrist trauma– If you have broken or otherwise injured your wrist in an accident, the trauma can cause damage to your carpal tunnel, leading to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Medical treatment including physical therapy can help alleviate the symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis– Millions of people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes joint pain among other types of damage. Because RA is an autoimmune disorder, it can cause a person’s immune system to attack the body’s tissues, mistaking them for diseases. For this reason rheumatoid arthritis can cause swelling of a membrane that surrounds the tendons in the carpal tunnel called the synovium, which then leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. There are several ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome caused by RA, including medication, taking frequent breaks to stretch and avoiding repetitive tasks done for long periods of time.

If you think you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, now is a good time to contact Family Chiropractic Care. We are a full-service chiropractic wellness facility in Longview, WA. At Family Chiropractic Care, we offer a broad range of services that can help manage and relieve your pain. Contact Family Chiropractic today or give us a call at 360-636-2636 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Still. We want to help you feel better!