Dr. Alpert sees a lot of patients afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome in our busy Jonesboro chiropractic office. While some people think that the origin of this wrist-related pain is muscular, it's actually a condition that comes from the nerves--and not just the nerves in your hands.
A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy assessed 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 authors found that the women had reduced cervical mobility when compared to a healthy control group.
In addition, they also found that the degree of the women's reported carpal tunnel problem was connected to the lateral flexion of the cervical spine. In other words, the less flexibility in the neck, the greater the level of discomfort.
This study is extremely important, as you can't successfully address a condition until you fully understand its cause. By understanding that the root of carpal tunnel symptoms is in the neck, this means that all-natural approaches such as chiropractic therapy can often restore normal function, reducing the need for risky operations.
If you are suffering from carpal tunnel discomfort, call our Jonesboro location and ask how Dr. Alpert 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.