Wrist pain is no laughing matter, and it can seriously affect what activities you are able to participate in and enjoy. You likely already know that if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. LaGrange Chiropractic offers several carpal tunnel treatment options at their LaGrange, Kentucky office that can help get your back to your normal routine.
Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This incredibly painful condition is the result of a pinched nerve in your wrist. It is considered a repetitive use injury or sprain, which is why it is common to hear of people developing it as the result of improper ergonomics at work or playing wrist-intensive sports.
Some of the first signs you may notice as it develops are tingling or numbness in your thumb and fingers. This will often be accompanied by intense pain and weakness in the affected area.
Carpal Tunnel Treatments to Consider
If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, you do not have to live in pain. While many people choose to have surgery to correct the underlying cause of the condition, there are some more conservative carpal tunnel treatment options you can try first. Here are four carpal tunnel treatment options that require little to no downtime.
1. Stretching
Stretching can be used as an effective carpal tunnel treatment alone, but it is generally used as part of a larger, more involved treatment plan. By helping to stretch and relax the connective tissue within the affected wrist, a doctor or therapist can help reduce swelling. This may help alleviate some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Pain Medications
While you may not want to take medications, they can help you return to normal. Unfortunately, they do not address the underlying condition, i.e. your pinched nerve, that is causing symptoms. If you do choose to use pain medication, try to limit what you take to the minimum needed to reduce or relieve your symptoms. Also, make sure it is part of a larger treatment plan that can actually help correct, and not mask, the damage.
3. Chiropractic Adjustments
While many people think of chiropractors for back or neck concerns, they often overlook them for injuries in other parts of the body. However, chiropractors can often help relieve pain located throughout the body.
In some instances, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a misalignment of the spine. In these cases, a chiropractor can help to determine the exact cause of your pain and correct it through spinal adjustments.
4. Wrist Supports
You may find relief from pain and tingling by using wrist supports or braces. These will help keep your wrist in the correct position so that your nerve does not get further pinched. Many people will find that using a splint at night can help them avoid strain and further injury.
You will want to use care with wrist supports. While you are using them, you are not using the muscles of your wrist, hand, and forearm. This inactivity can lead to muscle loss and possible atrophy that could need further treatment.
Find the Right Treatment for Your Condition
Everyone is an individual, and their treatment plan should be too. Whether you have mild discomfort or debilitating pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, there are carpal tunnel treatment options available to you. Contact the professionals at La Grange Chiropractic in La Grange, KY today to schedule a consultation. There you can ask questions and develop a plan to get you back in action as soon as possible.