How your osteopathic medicine doctor in Fort Lauderdale, FL, can help you get relief from carpal tunnel syndrome
If you have a job which requires repetitive motion of your fingers, hands, or arms, you are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition which can cause numbness and loss of strength in your fingers, hands, and arms. Fortunately, your osteopathic medicine doctor can help. Dr. Darin Bush at Mobility Spine And Sports in Fort Lauderdale, FL, provides a wide range of osteopathic medicine services, including diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The median nerve is a large nerve in your hand which controls the nine tendons responsible for moving your fingers. This nerve passes through a narrow area known as the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops because the median nerve is compressed at your wrist, affecting the nerve function to your hands and fingers.
There are a few factors which can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
- An injury to your wrist
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Repetitive motion injuries
Repetitive motion injuries can occur due to work or activities. These are just a few of the common causes of repetitive motion injuries:
- Typing or using a computer keyboard
- Using a cash register
- Grasping or clutching objects
- Knitting or crocheting
So, how can you tell if you might be developing carpal tunnel? These are just a few of the signs and symptoms you may experience:
- Tingling in your hand or fingers
- Loss of strength in your hand or arm
- Numbness in your hand or fingers
For mild carpal tunnel symptoms, you can try:
- Taking frequent breaks from hand-intensive activities
- Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Stretching and rotating your wrists
- Stretching your hands and fingers
For moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it’s best to seek out your osteopathic doctor, who may recommend:
- Wearing a splint to keep the tunnel open and reduce pressure on the median nerve
- Making ergonomic adjustments to your equipment to ease symptoms
Your specialists will typically try to exhaust non-surgical treatments to relieve pain and inflammation and to help you restore mobility. Treatment can involve the use of Osteopathic Manipulation, Interventional injections, and medication, Neuromuscular re-education among others.
To find out more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, call Dr. Darin Bush at Mobility Spine And Sports in Fort Lauderdale, FL. You can reach him in the office by calling (954) 414-7080, so call now.