Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Other Tunnels?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Other Tunnels?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve is pinched in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is formed by eight small bones called carpal bones. Symptoms of CTS include numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and arm. CTS can be caused by nerve pinches more proximal to the wrist, such as at the forearm, elbow, mid-upper arm, shoulder, or neck. There are two other nerves in the arm that can also be pinched in different tunnels, and numbing and tingling symptoms in the arm and hand occur with those conditions as well. This is why a careful clinical history, examination, and sometimes special tests like an EMG/NCV (electromyogram/nerve conduction velocity) offer the information that allows for an accurate diagnosis of one or more of these tunnel syndromes in the CTS patient.

Let’s look at these different tunnels and their associated symptoms, as this will help you understand the ways we can differentiate between these various syndromes or conditions.

Starting at the neck, there are seven cervical vertebrae and eight cervical spinal nerves that exit the spine through a small hole called the IVF (intervertebral foramen). Each nerve goes specifically to a known location which includes: the head (nerves C1, 2, 3), the neck and shoulders (C4, 5), the thumb side of the arm (C6), the middle hand and finger (C7), and the pinky side of the lower arm and hand (C8). If a nerve gets pinched at the spinal level (such as a herniated disk in the neck), there can be numbness, tingling, and/or pain and sometimes weakness in the affected part/s of the arm and hand (or numbness in the scalp if it’s a C1-3 nerve pinch). As chiropractors, we can test a patient’s sensation using light touch, pinprick sensation, vibration sensation, or two-point discrimination to determine if there is nerve involvement.

At Morgan Chiropractic, we specialize in providing high-quality chiropractic care for patients with CTS. Our friendly and experienced team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness. If you’re experiencing symptoms of CTS or other related conditions, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today!