Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve in your wrist gets squeezed. It often shows up as numbness, tingling or pain in the thumb and first fingers. At HealthSource Chiropractic of Roseland, Dr. Jenna Patel, D.C., examines your wrist and arm first, so you know what may be behind your symptoms.
What carpal tunnel syndrome is
The carpal tunnel is a narrow opening at the base of your hand, formed by wrist bones and a tough ligament. The median nerve and the tendons that bend your fingers pass through it. This nerve gives feeling to your thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger.
When swollen tendons or other changes crowd the tunnel, they can press on the nerve. As a result, you may notice:
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the thumb and first fingers
- Symptoms at night, often when you sleep with your wrists bent
- Fingers that feel swollen even though they are not
- A weaker grip, or trouble holding small things like buttons
Several things can play a part, such as a wrist injury, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems or pregnancy. Women get carpal tunnel syndrome more often than men. MedlinePlus has a clear guide to its causes and symptoms if you want to read more.
Keyboard work and hand numbness
Many people who work along Eisenhower Parkway sit at a desk all day, often at a keyboard. So it makes sense to wonder if the keyboard is to blame. In fact, researchers are not sure whether long hours of typing cause the condition. Still, repeating the same hand and wrist motions is a known risk factor.
Hand tingling at a desk is not always a wrist problem, either. A pinched nerve in the neck can also send numbness down the arm. Our page on shoulder and arm pain covers that pattern. If symptoms began with a task at work, see workplace injury treatment.
How Dr. Patel evaluates hand and wrist symptoms
Every plan starts with your first visit. First, you fill out a health history form. Then you talk with Dr. Patel about your symptoms and what makes them better or worse.
Next, she does a physical exam of your posture, mobility and pain. Hand symptoms can start higher up the arm, so tell her about any neck or shoulder pain too. We take X-rays on site only if clinically needed. After that, Dr. Patel explains her findings and a care plan before any care starts. Some people also need nerve tests, which a medical doctor can order.
Conservative care for carpal tunnel syndrome
Conservative care means trying hands-on and home steps before options like injections or surgery. Based on your exam, Dr. Patel may suggest one or more of these:
- Hands-on chiropractic adjustments
- Soft tissue work on the forearm, including instrument-assisted soft tissue work
- Stretches and strengthening moves from our exercise rehab
- Laser therapy (Class IV) as one part of a plan
- Kinesiology taping, if it suits your case
- Tips for your desk setup, breaks and sleep position
Care for carpal tunnel syndrome here may help you use your hands with more comfort. However, the research on this is limited. MedlinePlus notes that some people find chiropractic care helpful, but studies have not shown that it improves carpal tunnel syndrome. For that reason, we never promise a result. Instead, we check how you respond and talk about other options if care does not help.
At home, small changes may help too. For example, take short breaks to stretch your hands, and keep your wrists straight when you type or sleep. A medical doctor may also suggest a wrist splint to wear at night.
When to see a hand doctor
Carpal tunnel symptoms are easier to treat early. Without treatment, some fingers can lose feeling and the thumb can stay weak for good. See a medical doctor or hand doctor soon if you notice:
- Weakness in your thumb, or dropping things often
- A shrinking muscle at the base of your thumb
- Fingers that keep losing more feeling
- Symptoms that keep getting worse despite rest and care
Call 911 right away if numbness comes on suddenly with a drooping face, slurred speech or weakness on one side. These can be signs of a stroke. Also call 911 for arm pain that comes with chest pain or shortness of breath. This page is for education only and is not a diagnosis.
Getting started with carpal tunnel syndrome care in Roseland
We accept most major insurance plans, and we ask that you call us to verify yours. We also offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, plus the APEX discount plan.
Ask about our new-patient visit: consultation, exam and X-rays if clinically needed. The offer is for new patients only. It does not apply to Medicare, Medicaid, other federal healthcare program patients or ACN members.
Our office is at 12 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 1, in the Downtowne At Roseland complex. You can book online or call (973) 200-2424. Dr. Patel speaks English, Hindi and Gujarati.