Pain, numbness, weakness, or other painful symptoms in the arm or wrist is classified as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Many CTS patients believe that surgery is the only solution for CTS. What if we told you that surgery is not the best treatment option for those with CTS, and can sometimes make symptoms worse? Today, we will be looking at just that, and telling you how to manage and treat your CTS.
With surgery, a lot of risks come. These include anesthesia, infection, bleeding, or added injuries from fiddling. A study was done which found that patients who have received surgery for their CTS usually do not return to work for 8 weeks, and sometimes even experience decreased strength and dexterity in this area.
Another study looked at 56 middle aged patients who received surgical care. Only two thirds of these patients reported improved symptoms, and one in four experienced full resolution.
This is where conservitive and chiropractic approaches come in. They are proven to be much more effective than surgical treatments. 120 women were split into two groups during a study. One group received a course of manual therapy treatments, while the others underwent a surgical procedure. The non surgical group experienced more pain relief in the long term than the surgical group.
A doctor of chiropractic will evaluate and treat the entire body, rather than just the singular complaint area, because the root of an issue could come from a different part of the body. After all, CTS travels all the way through the shoulders into the neck. Reviewing a patient’s full history is important in diagnosing CTS and any other issue.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of CTS or pain in general, don’t suffer any longer. Reach out for an appointment today.