Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Chiropractic Care in Ormond Beach
Numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand can make everyday tasks like typing, driving, gripping objects, or sleeping through the night difficult. If you’re experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward relief. At New Journey Chiropractic, we take a neurologically-focused, whole-body approach to evaluate your symptoms and create a personalized care plan that supports healthy movement and function.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel—a narrow passageway in the wrist formed by bones and a strong ligament. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger, while also controlling several muscles at the base of the thumb.
As pressure on the nerve increases, symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness may develop. Symptoms often begin gradually and can worsen over time if the underlying cause is not addressed.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- Hand pain or burning sensations
- Weak grip strength
- Symptoms that are worse at night or upon waking
- Frequently dropping objects
- Difficulty buttoning clothing or opening jars
- Pain that radiates into the forearm
- Hand fatigue during repetitive activities
- Relief by shaking the hand (“flick sign”)
Possible Causes
Several factors may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
- Repetitive hand and wrist movements
- Frequent computer or keyboard use
- Assembly line or manufacturing work
- Pregnancy-related swelling
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
- Previous wrist fractures or injuries
- Fluid retention
- Obesity
- Anatomical differences that reduce the size of the carpal tunnel
Red Flags
Because symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can overlap with conditions such as cervical radiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, or other nerve entrapment syndromes, a thorough examination is important.
Seek immediate medical evaluation if you experience sudden loss of hand function, rapidly progressing weakness, severe injury to the wrist or hand, signs of infection, or numbness associated with symptoms of a stroke, such as facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or sudden arm weakness.
How New Journey Chiropractic Approaches Care
At New Journey Chiropractic, we recognize that hand symptoms are not always caused solely by the wrist. The nerves supplying the hand travel from the neck through the shoulder and arm before reaching the wrist, so we evaluate the entire pathway to determine where irritation may be occurring.
Your examination may include:
- Comprehensive health history
- Orthopedic and neurological examination
- Wrist and hand evaluation
- Cervical spine assessment
- Grip strength testing
- Sensory and reflex testing
- Functional movement assessment
- Posture evaluation
- Neurological scans when appropriate
Your personalized care plan may include:
- Gentle chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine, upper back, shoulder, elbow, or wrist when appropriate
- Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization when indicated
- Nerve gliding exercises
- Wrist and forearm stretching
- Strengthening exercises for the hand and forearm
- Ergonomic recommendations for work and home
- Activity modification to reduce repetitive strain
- Home exercises to support recovery
If your examination suggests severe median nerve compression, progressive muscle weakness, or another condition outside the scope of chiropractic care, we will coordinate care with your primary care provider, neurologist, orthopedic specialist, or hand surgeon.
Collaboration With Other Healthcare Providers
If your examination suggests significant nerve compression, progressive weakness, worsening neurological symptoms, or another condition outside the scope of chiropractic care, we will coordinate care with your primary care provider, neurologist, orthopedic specialist, or other appropriate healthcare provider.
What is the difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Arthritis involves inflammation or degeneration of the joints. Although both can cause hand pain, the treatments may differ.
Can chiropractic help carpal tunnel syndrome?
Depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms, conservative chiropractic care may help improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, improve nerve mobility, and address movement patterns that contribute to irritation of the median nerve.
Will I need surgery?
Many people improve with conservative treatment, especially when symptoms are identified early. However, severe or progressive nerve compression may require additional medical evaluation, and surgery may be recommended in some cases.
Should I wear a wrist brace?
For some individuals, especially those with nighttime symptoms, a neutral-position wrist splint may be helpful. We will discuss whether bracing is appropriate based on your examination.
When should I seek immediate medical care?
Seek medical attention right away if you develop sudden severe weakness, cannot move your hand, experience significant trauma, have signs of infection, or develop numbness with facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or other stroke-like symptoms.
Ready to Get Your Hands Back to Feeling Their Best?
Hand pain and numbness don’t have to interfere with your daily life. Our team is here to identify the source of your symptoms and create a personalized care plan to help you move comfortably and confidently.
Or call our office to learn how New Journey Chiropractic can help you find lasting relief from hand and wrist discomfort.
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Meet Dr. Jayme
Dr. Jayme Frear is a Registered Nurse and Doctor of Chiropractic who is currently working toward her Master of Science in Chiropractic Pediatrics. She combines her nursing and chiropractic backgrounds to provide individualized, evidence-informed care that focuses on restoring healthy movement, supporting nervous system function, and helping patients return to the activities they enjoy.
At New Journey Chiropractic, we believe successful treatment begins with understanding the source of your symptoms not simply where you feel them.