Is My Wrist Pain Caused By Carpal Tunnel?

Nowadays, we spend more time than ever in front of screens and keyboards. It’s no wonder that millions of people every year develop painful conditions like headaches and neck pain. But one of the most common conditions is also one of the most misunderstood: carpal tunnel syndrome. This painful condition arises when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed by surrounding tissues. If your career or hobbies involve repetitive hand movements, you are especially at risk for carpal tunnel. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do, such as visiting our chiropractic and advanced medical team at Integrated Health Solutions! Here’s what you should know about carpal tunnel and how to stay safe. 

How Can I Tell if I Have Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel usually starts off with mild symptoms that can quickly become very painful. Sometimes, the condition can be misdiagnosed as tendonitis, arthritis or another painful condition. But carpal tunnel has distinct symptoms. In the majority of cases, you will feel pain or pressure in the center of your wrist, right at the base of your hand. 

Carpal tunnel is distinct because the pain is caused by a compressed nerve. Rather than general soreness, some patients describe the sensation as a sharp pain or a pain that radiates down their forefinger and thumb. In later stages, you may develop tingling or numbness in your fingers, especially at night. 

What Should I Do If I Am Experiencing Wrist Pain?

When you have any kind of pain in your wrists, you should visit a health professional immediately. A combination of chiropractic treatment and That’s why resting your wrist is key to healing. Obviously, it’s not always possible to eliminate everything that’s contributing to your carpal tunnel, but there are a few choices you can make:

• Reduce Screen Time and Get Active. Anything that involves repetitive hand motions can lead to carpal tunnel. Many times, it’s due to poor hand posture, muscle tension and a lack of rest. Spend time doing a hobby that doesn’t involve using your hands. Stay away from computers, texting, video games and other activities that involve uncomfortable hand positions. You don’t have to completely eliminate these from your life: just try to spend less time and give your hands a break. 
• Stretch Your Hands. If your carpal tunnel is caused by work-related activities, take time to stretch throughout the day. There are many hand stretch exercises you can try. 
• Visit a professional. Ultimately, if you believe you have carpal tunnel, you need to visit a professional as soon as possible. Our chiropractors use a range of non-surgical treatments to ease the pain and promote healing. 

What makes professional care so important? Carpal tunnel can be incredibly painful to the point where it becomes debilitating. You should never attempt to heal your carpal tunnel on your own. Ignoring the pain can let it get to the point where you develop permanent nerve damage, so visit our advanced medical team as soon as you begin to feel the slightest bit of pain. 

Contact Us for a Consultation

The earlier you receive treatment, the higher the chances for success. Even with self-help measures, you can’t always prevent carpal tunnel when you are frequently typing, using a mouse and other everyday tasks. Your best bet is to regularly visit a chiropractor to help circumvent the issues. Our chiropractors and advanced medical team at Integrated Health Solutions have plenty of experience treating carpal tunnel. If you need further guidance, simply give us a call and we’ll set up an appointment!