| What is Carpal Tunnel? | | | | and healing. Such impingement of these nerves |
| Carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is | | | | can make them more susceptible or vulnerable to |
| an injury or disease process caused by a pinched | | | | carpal tunnel syndrome (the second "crush"). |
| or impingement of the nerve(s) in the wrist, | | | | The double crush phenomenon and is widely |
| resulting in pain and numbness in the fingers and | | | | referenced in the scientific and medical research |
| muscle weakness of the thumb. | | | | as a consistent finding in patients with carpal |
| The name "carpal tunnel" receives its name from | | | | tunnel syndrome and can explain why some |
| the bones in the wrist, called carpals, which form | | | | patients do not recover with care. |
| a "tunnel" through which the nerves pass through. | | | | Often times in a sudden injury a patients can |
| What are the Signs of Carpal Tunnel? | | | | suffer double crush syndrome to the neck area. |
| Possible signs and symptoms: | | | | If the patient suffering from double crush |
| -Pain and / or tingling in one or both hands or | | | | syndrome and is just treated for carpal tunnel |
| fingers, frequently worse during activity or at | | | | syndrome only, often times the treatment is not |
| night | | | | only ineffective, but the symptoms can get |
| -Feeling of weakness in the fingers, difficulty to | | | | worse. |
| squeeze or hold things | | | | Such advanced stages can become quite serious, |
| -Sensation that fingers are swollen even though | | | | involving a loss of sensation, muscle deterioration, |
| little or no swelling is showing | | | | and permanent loss of function. It is important for |
| -Loss of strength in gripping or carrying items | | | | the patient to be check for this syndrome. |
| -Pain shooting from the hand up the arm as far | | | | Other possible causes include late stage |
| as the neck or shoulder | | | | pregnancy, disease processes, or even poor |
| It is important, if you believe you are suffering | | | | posture. Poor posture problems in particular are |
| from carpal tunnel syndrome, to consult a qualified | | | | often overlooked when patients seek treatment. |
| physician and health professionals for treatment | | | | What is the Therapy for Carpal Tunnel? |
| options. Not everybody who has carpal tunnel | | | | Many doctors and health professionals have |
| syndrome experiences the condition at the same | | | | access to different types of treatment for carpal |
| level, and a treatment that is suitable for one | | | | tunnel syndrome. Treatments choices range from |
| person may not be necessary for another. | | | | simple pain relief to long term active patient care. |
| What are the causes of Carpal Tunnel pain? | | | | Possible methods of treatment can include |
| The carpal tunnel is filled with tendons (attaching | | | | rehabilitation, carpal tunnel wrist brace, traction, |
| muscle to bone) that control finger and thumb | | | | exercises, stretches, soft tissue massage, |
| movement. Tasks requiring highly repetitive and | | | | medication, injections, physical therapy, |
| stressful movements of the wrist can cause | | | | chiropractic, acupuncture or other types of care. |
| pinching of the nerve(s) resulting in swelling and | | | | In advance cases surgery can become an option. |
| inflammation around the tendons, producing carpal | | | | As with any other health condition, it is very |
| tunnel. | | | | important that you talk with your doctor or other |
| Injuries to the neck can damage nerves to the | | | | qualified health professional about possible carpal |
| hands and wrists (known as "Double Crush | | | | tunnel treatment or any other alternative care |
| Syndrome") which also can cause carpal tunnel | | | | that he or she can recommend. |
| symptoms. This is common in "whiplash" injuries | | | | Regardless of the treatment, it is important that |
| such as auto accidents. | | | | the carpal tunnel sufferer maintain good |
| Because pathway of the nerves to the hands | | | | communication with their doctor or health |
| connect all the way up to neck, any pinching or | | | | professionals on treatment progress. As the |
| impingement at the neck (the first "crush") or | | | | patient improves under care, outside care and |
| along this pathway can actually affect recovery | | | | activities also need to be reviewed and addressed. |