Sweeney Chiropractic sees a lot of patients struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome in our busy Nashville chiropractic office. While some people think that the source of this wrist-related pain is muscular, it's actually a problem that stems from the nerves--and not just the nerves in your hands.
A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy evaluated 71 women between the ages of 35 and 59 who were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Upon studying the subjects' neck range of motion, the researchers discovered that the women had less cervical flexibility when compared to a healthy control group.
In addition, it was also discovered that the level of the women's reported carpal tunnel concern was linked to the lateral flexion of the cervical spine. In short, the less flexibility in the neck area, the greater the level of pain.
This study is very important, as you cannot successfully treat a condition until you fully understand its cause. By realizing that the root of carpal tunnel symptoms is in the neck, this means that natural approaches such as chiropractic therapy can often restore normal function, reducing the need for risky surgery.
If you have carpal tunnel issues, call our Nashville location and ask how Sweeney Chiropractic can help you get relief!
References
De-la-Llave-Rincon A et al. (2011, May). Women with carpal tunnel syndrome show restricted cervical range of motion. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy;41(5):305-10.
Simon H. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. University of Maryland Medical Center. Updated May 6, 2012. Retrieved from https://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/carpal-tunnel-syndrome on November 2, 2015.