Sun 27 Sep 2009
Some researchers have concluded that chiropractic care is equally effective for treating the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome as conservative care is (conservative care is defined as taking anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal pain killers like aspirin and wearing a night time splint on the injured wrist). Research has continued to show that chiropractic medicine can have great benefits on RSIs (repetitive stress injuries, such as CTS), and research has shown that it can have healing effects as powerful as allopathic medicine.
Chiropractic treatment is based on the human body and the belief that the body’s form is developed for a certain function. It also holds that problems in many cases, other than in traumas, are caused by misshapen parts of the body or are a result of misusing that part of the body as well. This type of medicine specifically takes a look at the spine, since the nervous system conducts energy through the body, using the spine.
Many people are turning to chiropractic practice to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome because they don’t like the idea of invasive surgery, don’t like the idea of taking drugs, and don’t like the idea of having their hand forcibly immobilized. There are a few different methods that a chiropractor may use to treat CTS.
In many cases this treatment can include manipulating the spine, the arm, or even the wrist. In some cases there are spinal issues that may cause carpal tunnel to occur. Usually chiropractors are able to use their hands to adjust the spinal column and they also use other tools that are very safe as well.
One tool they often use is ultrasound therapy. Special sonic waves that can’t be heard by humans are used with ultrasound and are used on a specific part of the patient’s body. The sound waves are able to deeply penetrate the body. They can help provide muscle relaxation, can take away some of the pain, and even take down some of the inflammation in the area. This helps to promote better healing.
Wrist supports are used in some cases by chiropractors too. They help to keep the wrist stable and from moving. This way more irritation can’t occur. Usually they are designed to be worn when the patient is sleeping. This way the wrists are kept from moving during the sleeping times, but they can still have the mobility needed to do their job.
There is a lot of merit in another approach to CTS treatment, too, one that also uses “manipulation”. This is the use of physical exercises that are specially designed to diminish the symptoms of CTS, and then prevent it from coming back again. Although chiropractic works for some people, there is not clear evidence that it works for all. But the exercises get right to the heart of the matter and can be used by anyone. There is also no need for the expense associated with paying a DC. Why not give exercise a try to prevent CTS?
