Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Wrist Pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Wrist Pain

What is Your Carpal Tunnel?

Anatomically speaking your carpal tunnel is the pathway (or sheath) from the palmar side of your forearm to your hand. Compression caused by fluids and swelling here can affect the nerves (specifically the median nerve) and blood flow to your hand. Symptoms of this compression can include tingling, weakness of your wrist, and a dull, aching pain in your thumb and first two fingers. However, experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have carpal tunnel syndrome, as there are other similar types of wrist pain that can cause the same feelings.

Your best bet for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome is to see a Yellow Gazebo physiotherapist or chiropractor, as these professions can provide a legal diagnosis and are most experienced in manual therapy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Soft Tissue Inflammation

Inflammation in your wrist or surrounding tissue (even up to your elbow) can mimic the feelings and sensations in carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s good to know the various similarities between the various conditions.

Wrist Pain from Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of one or more tendons. De Quervain’s tendonitis is one such example where two tendons on the top of your thumb become irritated when you make a fist or move your wrist.

Trigger finger is a form of inflammation of the tendon sheath where the decreased space in the sheath can allow the tendon to catch on the sheath, making your finger temporarily stuck in a “trigger” position.

Wrist Pain from Joint Problems

Arthritis (either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) can affect the joints in your hands and can mimic some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when there is no visible swelling in your knuckles but you do have weakness in your grip.

Pseudogout is an issue where crystals form in your joints causing pain, redness, and swelling, but no numbness or tingling. Pseudogout often occurs in your wrist.

Wrist Pain from Blood Vessel Concerns

Raynaud’s phenomenon is an issue with the blood vessels that can affect your fingers, toes, nose and even your ears. There is usually no pain, but your skin may turn white and feel cold.

Compartment syndrome is a concern of the blood vessels in your tendon sheaths (aka “compartments”). You might feel pain, numbness or tingling with compartment syndrome and so this issue is often easily mistaken for carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

As was said above, at Yellow Gazebo your chiropractor or physiotherapist is your best bet to get started on treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, though you may also find relief from some of our other therapies including acupuncture, osteopathy, and even massage therapy.

If you’d like some more information on how we can help your wrist pain, would like to book a free consultation or would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment at Yellow Gazebo, please give us a call at 416-909-2334, email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com, or use the online booking link below. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way to optimum health.

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