The spine and the impact of good spinal alignment on the entire musculoskeletal system is the primary focus of all chiropractic care. As such, chiropractors are able to take a comprehensive and truly holistic approach to alleviate chronic and progressive problems like carpal tunnel syndrome. If you suffer from this painful and persistent issue, surgery might seem like the shortest path to relief. Sadly, however, invasive methods of treating carpal tunnel aren’t statistically known for producing the best long-term results. In fact, according to some reports, more than 75 percent of all carpal tunnel surgeries result in a full return of symptoms within just two to three years. Chiropractors address this issue using safe, over-the-skin methods that can eliminate the need for cutting, tissue removal, post-treatment wound care, and downtime entirely.
While surgery focuses solely on alleviating the pressure and compression on the median nerve, which is what causes pain with carpal tunnel, chiropractic care attempts to balance the entire body for improved wrist function, mobility, and comfort. When paired with targeted exercises, ongoing therapy, and the proper lifestyle changes, this manner of care is often capable of producing outcomes that are far superior to and much longer-lasting than those achieved through surgery. The notion of reversal surgery is actually quite erroneous. When things go wrong in a surgical procedure, or the outcomes of invasive carpal tunnel treatments are not in line with patient expectations, there is no real, reliable way of returning patients back to their pre-treatment states.
That is one of the major drawbacks of choosing surgery to relieve the carpal tunnel, particularly when surgery is not your only remaining option. The structural changes made during these procedures are by and large, permanent. Furthermore, surgical patients are at risk of treatment complications, local scarring, interior scar tissue, and other developments that can negatively impact their overall health and all-around treatment outcomes. Conversely, chiropractic care is implemented in a safe, non-invasive, and entirely natural way, and it also seeks to help minimize or eliminate patients’ reliance on both store-bought and prescription pain medications. It does so by actually resolving sciatica at its source.
The Benefits Of Non-Invasive Treatment For Carpal Tunnel
Non-invasive treatment for carpal tunnel isn’t just less risky. It is also much more beneficial. Where surgery might temporarily alleviate median nerve pressure by adjusting the positioning of surrounding physical structures, chiropractic care can:
- Alleviate median pressure in a long-term fashion by improving overall alignment
- Naturally, reduce pain and inflammation
- Promote gradual and ongoing increases in wrist mobility
- Reduce physical stress in other areas by eliminating the need to overcompensate
- Improve the patient’s ability to safely engage in essential work activities
- Provide information on safe ways for performing heavy lifting and repetitive movements
- Offer recommendations for better ergonomic support at work and home
Carpal tunnel is often falsely attributed solely to repetitive or unsafe movement. This condition can be the result of fluid retention caused by menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy, or other age-related hormonal changes. It can also be the result of thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and hypertension among many other things. In every instance, resolving the carpal tunnel with truly long-lasting improvements requires strategies that address the syndrome at its source. When these and other risk factors exist, efforts to mitigate them should be within the patient’s treatment plan. The all-encompassing, whole-body-health approach that chiropractors take allows this to happen. In addition to identifying and addressing the underlying cause of carpal tunnel, chiropractors implement therapies to alleviate median nerve pressure and reduce inflammation and pain.
They also share strategies for preventing further stress on this nerve such as implementing the use of ergonomic work equipment, suggesting ergonomic appliances for performing at-home activities, bracing systems, and exercises for building strength in both the affected area and the surrounding area. It is also important to note that spinal alignment therapies and postural correction can be a beneficial addition as well. Through the eyes of a chiropractor, the entire body is one connected system that must be properly aligned and balanced to ensure optimum well-being and functioning. With a needs-specific and integrated treatment plan, it may be possible to avoid the need for surgery entirely. In instances in which carpal tunnel surgery is simply unavoidable or has already been performed, coordinated chiropractic care can help foster better outcomes. No matter what your current condition or long-term goals may be, we’re able to help. Call our office today at 205-637-1363.
