There are many patients who suffer from Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome (CTS). In fact, CTS is one of
the most common work related injuries.
In spite of multiple studies that show the benefits of chiropractic
treatment with patients suffering from CTS, many medical doctors are unaware of
the studies and still tell their patients that chiropractic treatment is either
ineffective, or may actually harm them.
This unsupported ill advice can easily result in the patient not even
considering chiropractic care as a potential effective form of treatment. This can be especially damaging to a patient
who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or
aspirin. In fact, side effects secondary
to stomach pain (gastritis and/or ulcer) can be quite common, especially at the
recommended dose of 2400 mg / day. Moreover, if poor tolerance to these
medications exists and a unsatisfying response to conservative medical
treatment occurs, the “next step” offered to the patient may be surgery.
Surgery that may have been avoidable had chiropractic treatment been considered
on an equal par to non-surgical medical care.
There are several studies available that will enlighten
those who simply are not aware of the effectiveness of chiropractic care in the
treatment of CTS. In 1998, a 91 patient
group was divided in half and treated for 9 weeks by either a non-surgical
medical approach or by a chiropractic treatment approach. The medical approach
included the use of 800 mg of Ibuprofen, 3x/day for 1 week, 2x/day for 1 week,
and 800mg as needed to a maximum of 2400 mg/day dose for 7 weeks, as well as
the use of a nighttime wrist splint. The
chiropractic group utilized manipulation of the bony joints and soft tissues of
the spine and upper extremity for 3x/week for 2 weeks, 2x/week for 3 weeks, and
1x/week for 4 weeks, in addition to ultrasound over the carpal tunnel and a
wrist splint at night. It was reported
that BOTH the medical and the chiropractic patient groups did equally well
stating, “significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, nerve
conduction and finger sensation.”
In 2007, two different chiropractic approaches were
compared and found to both be equally effective in improving nerve conduction,
wrist strength, and wrist motion as well as patient satisfaction and daily
activity function. These improvements
were maintained for 3 months in both groups equally as well. Another study reported significant
improvements in strength, range of motion, and pain after chiropractic
treatment was given to 25 patients diagnosed with CTS. The majority of the patients reported
continued improvements for 6 months or more. There are other studies but I
think the point is obvious – chiropractic treatment helps patients with CTS.
The type of treatment that one may receive when being
treated by a chiropractor includes manipulation of the bony joints of the neck
and upper extremity. The objective of
this is to improve the mobility of the joints and loosen the muscles through
which the nerves pass, particularly, the median nerve that runs through the
carpal tunnel and innervates the 2nd to 4th fingers.
There are several exercises of both stretching and strengthening types that
strive for similar goals. Physical
therapy modalities such as low-level laser therapy have reported beneficial
results. Other modalities such as
ultrasound, interferential current (IFC), ice massage/cupping over the tunnel,
and others may also be utilized.
Nighttime wrist splints or braces also help to keep the wrist straight
so that prolonged bending of the wrist at night is not possible. There may be other treatment approaches that
your chiropractic physician may suggest on an individual case basis.
