Carpal tunnel
Carpal Tunnel is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the thumb and index finger. A nerve is pinched in the wrist between the carpal bones and a thick band of tissue which creates a tunnel for the nerve to pass through. There are several other places where the nerve can be pinched starting from the neck, under the collarbone, and the forearm. The same symptoms can be caused by a tight and overactive rotator cuff muscle. In this case the nerve is not pinched. It is a referred pain from a muscle that does not relax and is commonly known as a trigger point.
As in the carpal tunnel, there are tunnels for the forearm where nerves pass through. When these muscles are overused such as in typing or other repetitive movements, the muscles do not relax pinching the nerve.
Chiropractic treatment of this condition begins with a differential diagnosis, evaluating a possible pinched nerve in the neck, which may necessitate ordering X rays. There is one orthopedic test for carpal tunnel. If the nerve is pinched in the forearm, digital pressure of the forearm muscles will cause an increase in tingling in the hand. In the case of the referred pain from a rotator cuff muscle the same procedure is used with the same results.
Frequently, there are 2 or 3 areas where the nerve is pinched, and they all must be addressed for the treatment to be effective and lasting.
Chiropractic manipulative therapy may be used if there was a pinched nerve in the neck.
The main reason for discussing this syndrome is that there is a simple and easy treatment I use to free the nerve in the forearm and release a tight rotator cuff muscle. The in-office procedure is Active Release Technique (ART). With home stretching exercises symptoms resolve quickly and lasting. The home stretching exercises must be maintained.
