Although the majority of treatment performed by chiropractors focuses on the spine, the same techniques can be applied to other joints as well. It’s believed that malfunctions and fixations of the joints can be the result of direct trauma. Many times the trauma occured years ago and is only now creating symptoms. It is also common to see joint problems that are the result of very small micro-traumas caused by repetitive injuries.
One very common result of repetitive trauma is carpal tunnel syndrome. The tunnel is comprised of the bones of the wrist and a band of ligaments. Painful symptoms result when the contents of the tunnel are compressed. Surgery is often used to loosen the ligaments and reduce the compression, thus freeing the nerve to a degree. It’s surprising to learn that some wrist problems may be due to functional changes to one or more joints of the neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist. Basically, a nerve can get “pinched” where ever there is a joint. That can be from the spine all the way down to the fingers. So while carpal tunnel syndrome is most often a wrist problem, it can also come from other sources. It’s important to know exactly where the interference is located
Because chiropractic offers a conservative approach, it makes sense to take what is believed to be a wrist problem to a chiropractor first. Medication and surgery can always follow if neccessary. Only a chiropractor can tell you if it’s a chiropractic case, so scheduling an examination would be a wise idea.
