The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is a narrow channel, called the carpal tunnel. Pressure on this important median nerve, that provides feeling and movement to the “thumb side” of the hand (that’s the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger), is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Typically, carpal tunnel affects people aged 30 to 60 years; it is more common in women than men.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel include: numbness or tingling in the thumb and fingers of one or both hands; numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand; pain in the wrist; pain extending to the elbow; problems with coordination of the fingers; weak grip or difficulty carrying things; weakness in one or both hands; and wasting away of the muscle under the thumb in more advanced cases.
The two most common causes of carpal tunnel are typing on computer keyboards that are not positioned properly and assembly line work. In the world of manufacturing, Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) most often lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dr. Richard Tavares—Dr. Rick the Chiropractor—may use therapy techniques such as ice, soft tissue therapy, and wrist adjustments to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. These techniques work by reducing inflammation around the nerve area.