Posts Tagged "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common repetitive stress injury. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive common workplace injuries; estimates say that the average person suffering from CTS will lose $30,000 to medical expenses and lost time at work over the course of a lifetime.
CTS is usually caused by repetitive or forceful movements in the wrist. There are eight carpal bones in the wrist that form a tunnel through which the median nerve and several tendons pass. Stressing the wrist can cause swelling in the tendons, which in turn pinch the median nerve. Common symptoms of CTS include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand (especially in the thumb, middle, and index fingers).
There are some things that you can do to prevent CTS. Try to avoid repetitive actions. Stop frequently to stretch and flex your arms and fingers. Maintaining a healthy diet, especially one high in antioxidants, can help to reduce inflammation and prevent development of CTS.
If you do experience symptoms of CTS, you should visit your chiropractor right away. Early treatment is the best way to ensure fast and complete recovery. A chiropractor will usually first perform a physical examination to determine whether or not CTS is actually causing the symptoms (nerve compression in the neck can cause very similar symptoms, but a chiropractor can help with that as well). If you do have CTS, there are several common treatment options. You may have to rest the affected hand and wrist or apply ice to help reduce swelling. A chiropractor may also use physical therapy or manipulation of the wrist, elbow, and upper spine to treat CTS. Additionally, a chiropractor may treat CTS with ultrasound therapy. This technique uses sound waves outside of the human hearing range to relax muscles and alleviate inflammation. Your chiropractor can determine what treatment option is best for you and can advise you on how to avoid development of or recurrence of CTS.
Read MoreIt’s The Little Things
We all know when we have injured ourselves if we have fallen or been involved in a motor vehicle accident. But how many of us recognize the countless little things that occur during normal days and weeks? These small injuries go by several names Chronic Repetitive Stress disorder, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder and Cumulative Trauma Disorder. What it comes down to is that multiple small injuries over a long period of time will leave a person with just as much injury as a single traumatic event such as a fall or accident.
Read MoreAbout Me
Dr. Charles Heuser was born and raised in Colorado Springs and graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in 1976. When he first started out, Dr. Heuser was the sole treating doctor in the office. In 1987, he ventured out to open other clinics in Arizona, Texas, and Missouri. It was that year that he began to bring in other associates to help treat his patients. Dr. Heuser has extremely high standards for his associates, and always makes sure they are paramount in their field of practice. They come from the best chiropractic colleges. Not only that, he makes sure their philosophy and practice are held as highly as his own, ensuring you the finest in chiropractic care.Connect With Us
