Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Grand Rapids
Waking up at night with a numb hand. Shaking out your fingers to get the feeling back. Dropping your coffee cup or struggling with buttons. Carpal tunnel symptoms can sneak up slowly, but they’re hard to ignore once they start. We look for the cause of the problem instead of just covering up the symptoms.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage on the palm side of your wrist, formed by the wrist bones and a tough band of tissue across the top. The median nerve and nine tendons pass through it. When the tissues inside swell or the space gets tighter, the median nerve gets squeezed. That causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.
Common Signs of Carpal Tunnel
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Symptoms that wake you up at night or are worse in the morning
- Hands falling asleep while driving, holding your phone, or reading
- Weak grip, dropping things, or trouble with small tasks like buttons
- Aching in the wrist or forearm
What Causes It?
- Repetitive hand and wrist work: typing, mousing, tools, assembly, and vibration from equipment
- Sleeping with your wrists bent
- Wrist position at work, especially bent up or down for long periods
- Pregnancy, thyroid problems, diabetes, and arthritis, which can increase swelling or pressure
- Nerve irritation higher up in the neck, which can make the nerve more sensitive at the wrist
Is It Carpal Tunnel or Something Else?
Not all hand numbness is carpal tunnel. Where you feel it gives us clues:
| Where you feel it | What may be involved |
|---|---|
| Thumb, index, and middle fingers, worse at night | Carpal tunnel (median nerve at the wrist) |
| Ring and pinky fingers | Ulnar nerve at the elbow (cubital tunnel) |
| Hand numbness with neck pain or pain down the arm | Pinched nerve in the neck. See our arm & hand numbness page. |
| Pain at the base of the thumb with thumb and wrist movement | Tendon irritation at the wrist (De Quervain’s) |
This is a general guide, not a diagnosis. Patterns overlap, and an exam is what sorts it out.
How We Find the Source
We start with your history: which fingers are affected, when symptoms happen, and what you do for work and hobbies. Then we check sensation, strength, and reflexes, and use specific wrist tests to see if the median nerve is irritated. We also check your elbow and neck, because nerve pressure higher up can add to symptoms at the wrist. When indicated, we take X-rays in our office. If you have significant weakness or aren’t improving, we’ll refer you for nerve testing or to a specialist.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
Mild to moderate carpal tunnel often responds to conservative care, especially when it’s caught early. Care focuses on taking pressure off the nerve along its whole path. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:
- Adjustments to the wrist, elbow, and neck when restricted
- Graston Technique and Active Release Techniques for tight forearm muscles and tissues
- Laser therapy to help calm pain and inflammation
- Massage therapy for the forearm, shoulder, and neck
- Nerve-glide exercises and stretches to do at home
- Night wrist splint and workstation or tool-grip changes
When to Get Medical Care Right Away
Call 911 or go to the ER if hand numbness or weakness comes on suddenly with face drooping, trouble speaking, or weakness on one side of the body. Also get prompt medical care if numbness started after a wrist injury or fall, or if you notice the muscle at the base of your thumb shrinking or constant numbness that doesn’t come and go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help carpal tunnel?
Many people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel improve with conservative care like soft tissue work, adjustments, splinting, and exercises. We’ll tell you honestly if your symptoms suggest you need nerve testing or a surgical consult.
Why are my symptoms worse at night?
Most people sleep with their wrists bent, which narrows the carpal tunnel and puts more pressure on the nerve. A simple night splint that keeps the wrist straight often helps.
Do I need surgery?
Not usually at first. Surgery is typically considered when symptoms are severe, constant, or causing muscle weakness, or when conservative care hasn’t helped. Starting care early gives you the best chance of avoiding it.
Could it be coming from my neck?
Yes. The nerves to your hand start in your neck. Pressure there can cause similar symptoms or make the nerve more sensitive at the wrist. That’s why we check the whole path, not just the wrist.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can see a chiropractor in Minnesota without a referral. Some insurance plans have their own rules, and our front desk can help you check your benefits.
Get Your Grip Back
If numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands is getting in the way of work or sleep, Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, P.A. can help you find out why and build a plan to get you relief. Reach out to our practice today to schedule your evaluation.
