A Natural Appraoch to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

A Natural Appraoch to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

• 1.
  CHIROPRACTIC MANAGEMENT: CARPALTUNNEL SYNDROME
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  What is CarpalTunnel Syndrome? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused when something (fluid, bone, or tight tendons) presses on the nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist.  This results in wrist pain and numbness to the thumb and first two fingers.
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  What are thesymptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists.
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  A person withcarpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to “shake out” the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch. Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
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  Who is atrisk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome? Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk.
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  Who is atrisk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome? The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is not confined to people in a single industry or job, but is especially common in those performing assembly line work - manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meat, poultry, or fish packing . In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel.
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  Who is atrisk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome? During 1998, an estimated three of every 10,000 workers lost time from work because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half of these workers missed more than 10 days of work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be about $30,000 for each injured worker.
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  To learn howto stop wrist pain and numbness in the fingers, and to continue working and enjoying your life to your fullest, and avoid potential surgery , we will explore all of the structures involved in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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  Anatomy of theCarpal Tunnel: The carpal tunnel is located at the bend of the wrist. The base of the tunnel is composed of eight small bones, called carpal bones. The bridge of the tunnel is a strong ligament with two names; the flexor retinaculum, or the transverse carpal ligament.
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  Anatomy of theCarpal Tunnel: Through the small carpal tunnel passes the nine flexor tendons, along with the median nerve. Any pressure exerted onto this area will squeeze the median nerve causing pain, and numbness to the hand and wrist.
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  Causes : repetitivewrist or hand motions. Working at a computer terminal Playing a musical instruments Sports Even knitting
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  The median nerve,which starts in the neck and travels down the arm to the wrist, and hand, can become entrapped anywhere along its path. Let’s examine the muscles that directly impact the median nerve. For example, a pinched nerve in the neck may cause you to have pain in your hand.  You ask “why”, the best way to explain is in an analogy.
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  The median nervebegins in your neck travels along, or through, many powerful muscles. We’ll look at how each of these muscles can cause the pain and numbness associated with CTS.
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  The median  nervebegins as a bundle of nerves, called the Brachial Plexus,  located at the  lower level of your neck.  The nerve then passes through a strong muscle called the Scalenes.  Every time you look down, you are contracting the  Scalenes muscle. When the Scalenes become tight, it puts pressure on the median nerve.
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  There is amuscle in the chest called the Pectoralis Minor, which inserts into the coracoid process. When this muscle contracts it pulls the coracoid process down ­ and raises the arm over the head.
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  This movement putspressure onto the median nerve and the axillary artery (which brings blood into your arm). When a person sleeps with his/her elbow tucked under the head, it puts pressure on the median nerve and artery for an extended period of time. This cuts off the circulation in the artery and impinges the nerve. This results in numbness and tingling of the hand!
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  The nerve travelsunder the biceps, and then goes into the forearm where it is frequently trapped by the tight flexor muscles. Tight flexor muscles and tendons entrap the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
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  An analogy I’vefound useful is to describe the muscle/tendon/bone connection like the system that automatically opens your garage door. The muscle is compared to the motor of the system, the tendon, a strong fibrous band which connects a muscle to a bone, is the cable that runs from the motor to the door, and the bone is the garage door.
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  When the motor(muscle) is turned on, it pulls on the cable (tendon). The cable then pulls on the door (bone), and the door moves. Likewise, when the muscle pulls on the tendon, the tendon then pulls on the bone and the bone moves. While the cables (tendons) may wrap gently around a bend, it doesn’t go around corners, it travels in an “almost-straight” line.
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  At this pointyou have a few choices. A hand surgeon can cut open the wrist and snip the ligament of the carpal tunnel. However, a much easier approach, and far less painful, is to learn how to treat the spasms of the muscles we have just discussed. This will effectively stop the wrist/hand pain and numbness!
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  Recently, the carpaltunnel syndrome has been associated with pyridoxine (B6) deficiency. Proponents of this recommend 200 mg daily for six weeks. In cases of proven deficiency (50 percent of CTS cases) the symptomatic relief is definite.
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  Prevention Magazine recently stated: " Anyone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, should see a chiropractor , to ensure that his or her spinal column is free from nerve pressure, between the arms and wrists, along with the nerves in the neck."
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  Dr. Robert Mendleson,M.D., stated: "The medical profession is so unsatisfactory, I have for years and years, recommended that my patients consult experts in muscle and joint therapy, concerning carpal tunnel syndrome." ( Such as chiropractors !)
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  The American MedicalJournal states: " 67% - 75% of the patients that have carpal tunnel syndrome or related problems, also had spinal nerves irritated in the neck ... the compression to the nerves of the neck, can block the flow of nutrition to the nerves in the wrist, making it more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome." (Nemoto, Second International Congress, Boston, MA and Upton A.R.M.)
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  An analysis of1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome states: "Not surprisingly, a study of 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, found significant correlation between carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis in the neck ." (Referenced from Hurst ... )
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  Clinical Chiropractic states:" Chiropractic has an extensive anecdotal history of patients being relieved of carpal tunnel syndrome with spinal adjustments ." Clinical Chiropractic, Jan. 1993, pg. 8-9,
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  A Manual ofOsteopathic Practice states: "Cervical adjustments appear to bring partial or complete relief of carpal tunnel syndrome." (Stodard)
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  CHIROPRACTORS, FOR OVER110 YEARS, HAVE BEEN EXPERTS, IN SPINAL REALIGNMENT, TO ALLOW NERVE FLOW TO PROPERLY RUN AND HEAL THE BODY!
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  Let me sharesomething with you... Your nervous system is the master control, that controls the function of all your cells, organs and systems of your body.
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  When ANY of your spinal bones (vertebrae), get out of ALIGNMENT , they can put endangering stress on your nerves - disrupting nerve flow ... EVEN IN YOUR NECK, DOWN YOUR ARMS AND INTO YOUR WRISTS AND HANDS! I know you are thinking ... "How can this be, because I don't suffer all of the time ... wouldn't I ‘feel’ my spine pinching my nerves?" ... Well ...
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  The misalignments canstay in your spine, UNCORRECTED - causing SILENT MALFUNCTION ! ... It worsens day by day, until the body weakens so much, that ... BAM ... the symptoms hit!! Maybe the next time your symptoms will be even worse ... your carpal tunnel syndrome, may continue to plague you, unless you decide to TAKE ACTION !
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  Misalignments (knownas subluxations) can be due to... poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries stemming from poor work conditions, automobile accidents, sports injuries, slips, falls and even the birth process itself! (Can you begin to see how this can lead to your condition?) So you see... this condition doesn't happen suddenly... IT IS INSIDIOUS AND EPIDEMIC!!!
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  This is theMOST important key : If we already know that can accumulate in your spine, and interfere with the nerve flow in your body... then it's easy to understand how research is suggesting that chiropractic care can be most helpful for asthma, allergies, hayfever, low back pain, headaches, work injuries, auto accident injuries and neck pain. Time is unfolding more and more interesting research on chiropractic .
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  Action is the ONLY thing that can make any of this information work for you. Think of this... if you don't call a qualified healthcare professional, what do you think may happen? THAT'S RIGHT! your health may get even worse!! So in a moment, I'm going to help you take action to get the help you need…
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  HEALTH CERTIFICATE ANATURAL APPROACH TO WELLNESS This certificate entitles the bearer to a complete first visit at Henderson Chiropractic including consultation, chiropractic exam, and x-rays, if indicated. A $249.95 value for only $47.00 _____________________________ Expires in 17 days _____________________________ Dr. Tim Henderson, DC