You won’t find the carpal tunnel on any map – it’s in your wrist. Your carpal (wrist) bones form a tunnel-like structure – the carpal tunnel – through which pass nine tendons and one nerve – the median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal tunnel syndrome is called the occupational disease of the 21st century. Years ago telegraph operators, seamstresses, carpenters and meat cutters were the chief sufferers from this condition. Today it’s office workers, computer users, musicians and assembly line workers. It is also often found in pregnant women, women who use birth control pills or individuals with an underactive thyroid.
If you have one or more of the following you may have it: tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers and wrist; swelling of the fingers; dry palms; blanching (whitening upon pressure) of the hand; or pain so intense that it awakens you at night. In some people CTS causes similar symptoms in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder or neck. (1)
Millions of people now suffer from CTS (2) and increasing numbers of them are seeking chiropractic care. The drug-free chiropractic approach of releasing nerve and structural stress has been a blessing to untold numbers of people afflicted with this condition.
References:
1. Verghese J, Galanopoulou AS, Herskovitz S. Autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23(8):1209-1213.
2. Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282(2):153-158.
