Consider the nerves traveling from your neck down to your fingertips like a delicate garden hose. For the signals to flow freely, this hose must be unrestricted along its entire path. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often described as a problem in the wrist, but it’s more accurately understood as a "kink" in that hose, which can happen anywhere—at the wrist, elbow, shoulder, or even the neck. When this nerve pathway is compressed, the flow of information is disr upted, leading to the classic symptoms of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. For the hardworking people of Springfield, MO, this can be incredibly disruptive. It can make typing at an office job unbearable, weaken your grip while enjoying a day of fishing at Fellows Lake, or make it difficult to hold a simple cup of coffee. At 417 Spine, our chiropractic perspective is to look beyond the wrist. We act as meticulous inspectors of the entire nerve pathway, understanding that a problem originating in the cervical spine can manifest as pain and numbness in the hand. Our goal is to find the true source of the "kink" and restore the proper flow of nerve energy so you can get back to using your hands with confidence.
Your Personalized Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Journey
Losing strength and sensation in your hands is frustrating and can cause significant worry about long-term damage. At 417 Spine, we approach this complex issue with a thorough, whole-body investigation designed to bring you clarity and relief. Your journey with our Springfield team is a supportive partnership focused on finding and resolving the true source of your symptoms.
- Comprehensive Consultation & Symptom Mapping: Your first visit is a detailed conversation to map out your specific symptoms. Which fingers feel numb or tingly? Is the sensation worse at night? What daily activities seem to trigger the discomfort? This detailed information helps us trace the nerve pathway involved and gives us crucial clues as to where the compression might be occurring.
- Full Kinetic Chain Examination: Our examination extends far beyond your wrist. The chiropractors at 417 Spine will perform a comprehensive assessment of the entire kinetic chain—from the vertebrae in your neck, across your shoulder, down through your elbow and forearm, and into your hand and wrist. This includes range of motion tests, muscle strength evaluations, and specific orthopedic tests to identify the precise point of nerve irritation.
- Personalized Care Plan Discussion: Once we have a clear picture, we sit down with you to explain our findings in simple terms. We want you to understand why you are experiencing these symptoms. Together, we will develop a personalized care plan that may involve chiropractic adjustments to the neck, elbow, or wrist, as well as soft tissue therapies, all designed to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
- Targeted Treatment and Soft Tissue Therapy: Your treatment will be specifically tailored to address the source of the compression. This could involve gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore proper movement in the joints of the spine or extremities. This is often paired with targeted massage therapy or other soft tissue techniques aimed at releasing tight muscles in the forearm, shoulder, and neck that may be contributing to the problem.
- Ergonomic Support and Proactive Exercises: A vital part of your care at 417 Spine is empowerment. We provide practical advice on ergonomics to help you set up your workstation in a way that reduces strain. We will also guide you through specific at-home stretches and exercises designed to improve mobility and strengthen supporting muscles, helping to prevent the condition from returning.