Each year thousands of Martin County residents are involved in car accidents. Here are 3 reasons to choose chiropractic care after a car accident. Some car accidents cause minor damage while others cause major damage. The severity of the damage to vehicles and the severity of the injuries vary. Did you know that the vehicle […]
carpal tunnel
You Should Know: Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a surprisingly common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm.
The pain, numbness and tingling is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist. It is surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. The median nerve passes through this narrow passageway. When the median nerve is compressed, the symptoms can include numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and arm.
In its early stages, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms may include your hand tingles and feels weak, or the fingers numb, or both. These symptoms can often disrupt your sleep.
Diagnosis:
Sometimes carpal tunnel syndrome can be mistaken for something else, such as pressure on nerves in the neck due to disc problems or arthritis, which can cause similar symptoms. A nerve conduction study can be used to confirm a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis as well as measure how severe the compression of the nerve is.
Treatment:
Numbness, tingling and pain in your hands, fingers and wrist is an example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. Early correct diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your outcome. Treatment modalities depend upon the cause of your symptoms.
If Left Untreated:
It’s important to seek treatment if you have signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome that interfere with your normal activities and sleep patterns. Permanent nerve and muscle damage can occur without treatment.
If left untreated, you may begin dropping things. Activities that require fine finger movements, such as writing or fastening buttons, will become more difficult. You may begin to feel you are losing coordinated movement of your fingers. Moving your thumb may also become difficult.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve. This compression can lead to permanent nerve and muscle damage without treatment. Dr. Danielle’s EMG/NCV certifications make her uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat this condition. She can also help you to determine if surgery is necessary.
Your first appointment will take approximately 55 minutes, giving you plenty of time to communicate your concerns. This also gives Dr. Danielle time to explain in easy to understand terms your condition and treatment goals.
Contact our office by calling 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
Chiropractic Treatment: Thoracic T4 Syndrome
Your upper back hurts and your hands are swollen and feel heavy. As you read the symptoms of T4 syndrom, you realize that if you look at them long enough, you could swear they’re turning blue.
It’s understandable that you would look up those symptoms online before scheduling an appointment to see your health care provider. However, you need to keep in mind that there are important things to keep in mind when checking with “Dr. Google” and his associate”Dr. WebMd.”
Please remember, that Dr. Google and Dr. WebMd’s are not medical professionals. Instead, their “higher calling” is to get you to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment with a qualified health care provider.
So if you typed in your symptoms and saw “T4 syndrome” as a possible diagnosis, please remember that you may not have T4 syndrom or T4 damage. You’ll need to see your physician or chiropractor and allow them to make that diagnosis.
T4 syndrome occurs when the T4 vertebrate in the spine is damaged and causes pain in the arm. The vertebrae bones which make up the spine are named T1 to T12 from top to bottom. When the nerves become damaged and the patients experience the pain and discomfort, this is known as T4 Syndrome. T4 syndrome is rare yet deceptive issue that can present in many different ways. T4 syndrome most often appears in people whose profession requires long hours in the same position. Working at a computer most of the work day would be a perfect example.
T4 syndrome can be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial pain syndromes, cervical spine degenerative conditions, thoracic outlet syndrome, cardiac pain and pain originating from the viscera.
It is crucial that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of T4 syndrome to rule out the possibility of more serious conditions.
What is T4 syndrome?
T4 syndrome is characterized by upper back discomfort and diffuse pain in the arms. The exact cause of T4 syndrome is unclear but it is hypothesized that constant extreme postures can lead to blood loss in multiple tissues contributing to symptoms. Another possible cause for T4 syndrome is that the facet joints in the thoracic spine become damage, either from poor posture or trauma, and that causes inflammation to the nerve root at that level. This could lead to symptoms of T4 syndrome. T4 syndrome is more often found in women than men. The reason for this sex discrepancy is unknown.
What are the symptoms of T4 syndrome?
The symptoms of T4 syndrome can vary but can present as:
Upper body pain that is or is not associated with headache and/or neck pain.
Upper body pain usually presents as:
- Paraesthesias in all five digits, or whole hand, or forearm-hand
- Hands feel hot or cold
- Heaviness in upper extremities
- Hands feel and may objectively be swollen
- Non-dermatomal aches/pains in arm and/or forearm
- Pain often described as crushing or like a tight band
Other symptoms include:
- Tenderness upon palpation in the upper back region
- Palpation of the ribs can recreate symptoms
- Poor slumped over posture
- Hands are slightly discolored or purple
How do you treat T4 syndrome?
Treatment for T4 syndrome includes:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Soft tissue work on the upper back and neck muscles
- Ultrasound
- TENS unit
- Postural exercises
- Stretching muscles of the chest
- Strengthening muscles of the upper back
- At home exercises to keep good posture
If you are experiencing symptoms of T4 syndrome and wish to discuss your treatments options please call 855-509-5400 so schedule your appointment with Advanced Wellness Solutions.
