Carpal Tunnel Frankfort, IL

Botti Chiropractic & Wellness | Chiropractor Frankfort

We have all heard of carpal tunnel before. It’s a widely discussed condition, and quite common at Botti Chiropractic & Wellness. It is simply when an individual experiences a significant decrease in strength or numbness, alongside a fleet of other symptoms, because of increased pressure on the median nerve. When the tissues swell, they take up space in the carpal tunnel and crowd the nerve. This abnormal pressure that is applied to the nerve can result in numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist. This nerve runs through the forearm, down to the hand and through something called the carpal tunnel – hence the name of the ailment. The median nerve is responsible for the sensations and range of movement in the hand, excluding the little finger.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

At the core, carpal tunnel is typically caused by increased pressure on the median nerve. In this, through pressuring the median nerve, the carpal tunnel reduces in size due to different factors, like swelling. Now, there is an assortment of factors that can create swelling in the area including, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, swelling may also be a result of consistent movement. For example, if you constantly move your hands in a way where the hands are positioned lower than the wrist, it can actually lead to more swelling. Lastly, pregnancy can also be a factor, creating inflammation or swelling, impacting the carpal tunnel.

Risk factors that can cause carpal tunnel syndrome are as follows:

• Heredity: Carpal tunnel syndrome may sometimes run in the family. It may be smaller for some people, while some can be prone to anatomical problems with time.
• Hand and Wrist Position: When the flexor muscles of the hand and wrist are used for a prolonged duration under extreme pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome can be triggered.
• Pregnancy: The hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause swelling in the hands and wrists.
• Health Conditions: People with health conditions like diabetes, hypothyroid, rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

When it comes to carpal tunnel, some of the most common signs are a decrease of strength, tingling, or numbness in the hand, fingers, or wrist. In some cases, patients may complain of discomfort or pain ranging between the hands and elbow. Specifically speaking, the most common areas can be found in either the thumb, ring, index or middle fingers. If an individual is feeling pain in the pinkie, or little finger, chances are, it’s not carpal tunnel as that is a different nerve.

Those who complain about the above symptoms typically mention a sense of relief by shaking their hands. During the night hours, typically when the symptoms flare, such movements can provide short-term relief.

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

At Botti Chiropractic & Wellness, to move forward with a diagnosis, we will first inquire to know if there are any previous health conditions. For example, if a patient has diabetes, hypothyroidism, or even if they are pregnant. Additionally, it’s essential for our experts to know whether or not there have been any major injuries to the targeted areas. Furthermore, to properly diagnose carpal tunnel, we need to know more about our patient’s daily life and how their wrist/arm are being used each day. In specific cases, we can also use our in-house EMG to specifically target the problem for an accurate and precise treatment plan.

Chiropractor Frankfort: Dr. Botti’s Custom Treatment Plan

At Botti Chiropractic & Wellness, we will work through your condition one spot at a time to rule out all possible reason for your pain. We will utilize a combination of myofascial release, Graston, and physical therapy to create an optimal environment in and around the wrist, elbow, and hand to reduce or eliminate your pain symptoms. We are also able to collaborate with our medical pain specialists if necessary to provide assistance in more complicated cases.

Give us a call today to book an appointment or talk to a specialist about your problem.