Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in the wrist. Quantum treats it without surgery, and nerve testing is available at our locations.
Carpal tunnel symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers, but not the little finger
- Symptoms while holding a steering wheel, a phone or a book, or that wake you at night
- A weak grip or weak thumb: dropping things or trouble with buttons
- Pain in the wrist that can travel up the forearm
Why it shouldn’t wait
See a provider when the symptoms get in the way of your work, your daily activities or your sleep. Left untreated, carpal tunnel can lead to lasting nerve and muscle damage.
Carpal tunnel and your work
Work that bends the wrist over and over, uses vibrating tools or happens on an assembly line can add pressure on the nerve, especially in the cold. If your symptoms came from your job, your care can be a workers’ compensation case.
How carpal tunnel is checked
Your provider asks which fingers go numb and when, checks the feeling in each finger, tests your grip and pinch strength, and taps over the wrist or holds it bent to see whether that brings on the tingling. Nerve testing confirms it when the picture isn’t clear.
Carpal tunnel treatment without surgery
When needed, nerve conduction studies and EMG, done by specialists who visit our locations, measure how well the median nerve is working and rule out a pinched nerve in the neck, which can cause similar symptoms. Physical therapy then uses nerve and tendon gliding exercises, stretches, strengthening and advice on how you use your hands at work, and chiropractic care works on the wrist, elbow and neck. Read physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Paying for carpal tunnel care
When carpal tunnel comes from your job, your care is usually billed to workers’ compensation. Otherwise, we accept health insurance depending on your case, and self-pay.
