Westside Chiropractic
Carpal tunnel syndrome care in Burlington.
Waking in the night with a numb hand, then shaking it out until the feeling comes back, is common enough that plenty of people shrug it off. When it keeps happening in the thumb, index and middle fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the first things we look at. It means the median nerve (the nerve that gives feeling to the thumb side of your hand) is being squeezed as it passes through a narrow channel at the wrist.
What carpal tunnel syndrome can feel like
It usually starts as pins and needles in the thumb, index and middle fingers. The little finger is typically left out, which is one of the clues we listen for. It is often worst at night or first thing in the morning, and during the day it may creep in while you hold a phone or drive. Tingling that comes and goes is common and, on its own, does not mean the nerve is being damaged. Numbness that never lets up is a different story, which is why we check for both.
Common causes we see
The carpal tunnel is a bit like a narrow road tunnel at rush hour. Nine tendons that bend your fingers share it with the median nerve, and there is not much spare room. Anything that crowds the tunnel, like extra fluid or a wrist held bent for long stretches, raises the pressure, and the nerve is usually the first to complain. Forceful gripping, vibrating tools, sleeping with your wrists curled under and pregnancy are common contributors. Diabetes and an underactive thyroid also make it more likely, so we may suggest a visit to your family doctor too.
Your care
How we help
For mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, conservative care is a common first step. Most of it is about easing the traffic in the tunnel: advice on wrist position through the day, a simple splint at night to keep the wrist straight, and nerve gliding exercises (gentle movements that help the nerve slide freely). Depending on what we find, chiropractic care for the wrist, elbow or neck, soft tissue work, medical acupuncture, massage therapy and exercise and rehab may be part of the plan. Some cases need more. If your symptoms are constant or worsening, we will refer you to your family doctor for nerve testing or a surgical opinion. Surgery is the right option for some people, and we will be straight with you if that looks like you.
How we assess it
We start with which fingers are affected, when it happens, and what your hands do all day. Then we test the feeling in your fingers and the strength of your thumb, and use a few wrist positions and taps over the nerve to see whether they bring on your symptoms. The median nerve begins in the lower neck, so we check your neck, shoulder and elbow too. An irritated nerve higher up can cause very similar tingling, and that changes the plan.
When to get it checked sooner
Most hand tingling is not serious, but see a medical doctor promptly if the numbness is constant, if the muscle at the base of your thumb looks flatter or wasted, if weakness or dropping things is getting worse, if both hands are affected along with changes in your balance or walking, or if the symptoms started after a wrist injury. These point to a nerve that needs medical testing, or to something other than carpal tunnel syndrome. We will refer you on if your assessment suggests it.
Common questions
Carpal tunnel syndrome questions
Can a chiropractor help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
Why check my neck if the problem is in my hand?
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