Spine-Shoulder-Elbow-Wrist Connection

Headaches and Neck Pain

You have tingling in your wrist and fingers and…you work on a Blackberry and computer all day, or you’re a grocery store clerk, or maybe even an assembly line worker. Could that have something to do with it? Could it be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)? And if it is, are pain relievers, wrist cuffs and surgery your only alternatives for relief of this condition?

That tingling you feel in your wrist and fingers may be related to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or it may be related to something else. But in any case, people with spinal problems, particularly in the lower cervical spine (neck area) or upper thoracic spine (upper back area) or who have some type of nerve/joint dysfunction may be prone to these symptoms as well. Repetitive strain ailments, such as CTS, often are linked to other injury sites on the body; this is known as a “Double Crush” Syndrome.

In our practice, when we assess a patient for tingling in the wrist and fingers, it is important that we examine the entire arm and neck to trace the nerve(s) involved back to what may be the actual origin of the problem. Failure to properly identify a “Double Crush” in the case of CTS or another finger/wrist problem could lead to unnecessary and unsuccessful surgery if the real problem is nerve interference due to neck injury/trauma or subluxation!

Because chiropractors are knowledgeable about bones, nerves and ligaments, we are able to perform the proper examination, diagnostic testing, evaluation and assessment so we can administer specific adjustments for CTS and other wrist/finger conditions that have been proven to reduce the need for drugs and surgery.

 Dr. Fred Asks some important questions of interest to Woodland Hills residents - Chiropractor Woodland Hills Dr. Fred Asks...

What is the purpose of pain?
Pain prompts many Woodland Hills folks to begin chiropractic care. But pain isn't the problem! Pain is just how your body alerts you that a limit has been reached (or exceeded), that something isn't working right and that some type of change is needed. As a chiropractor, my job is finding the underlying cause and recommending the changes needed to bring your body back into balance.
Is a muscle spasm a cause or an effect?
With the knee-jerk use of muscle relaxers, you'd think it was a cause. But it's an effect. Chiropractors know that bones don't move unless muscles move them. And muscles don't contract unless commanded by the nervous system. That's why your nervous system is the focus of our Woodland Hills chiropractic practice.