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Red
Bank New Jersey Carpal Tunnel Treatment
Treatment
of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center
At
Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center our approach to Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome is multidisciplinary. The proper diagnosis is the first
step. Our Facility Director is
Board Certified in Electrodiagnostic Studies and can perform a nerve
conduction study to determine whether or not carpal tunnel syndrome
is the accurate diagnosis. If carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed,
then a program is implemented involving rehabilitation including
low level laser therapy, acupuncture,
chiropractic, and physical
therapy.
If
you would like a complimentary consultation to determine whether
or not you have carpal tunnel syndrome and to see if Monmouth Pain
and Rehabilitation Center can help you, contact
us immediately.
What
is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome is a condition characterized by pain, numbness and
tingling in the hands and fingers. This condition is caused by compression
of the median nerve as it crosses the wrist. The median nerve travels
from the middle of the neck and down to the fingers; specifically
providing nerve supply to the thumb and index finger. Weakness of
the hand can follow in more severe cases.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome is caused most commonly from chronic repetitive
use of the hands; particularly with the wrist in the extension position
as is most commonly experienced while typing on a keyboard. Other
types of repetitive uses can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome such as
a new mother constantly holding her child's car seat with a new
born baby or holding a pan as a cook or chef.
How
is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
Two
orthopedic tests are commonly used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.
These tests are the Tinel’s Test and the Phalen’s Test.
Physicians will perfom the Tinel’s Test by tapping on the
involved side wrist on the palm side. The test is positive when
the symptoms are magnified into the hand and fingers and/or when
the patient experiences electrical pain and nerve sensations during
the tapping.
During
the Phalen’s Test, the patient forces their hands into a “reversed
prayer” position where the back of the hands are touching
and the fingers are pointing to the floor. The patient is asked
to hold this position for up to a minute and reports any abnormal
sensations. The test is positive when the symptoms in the hand or
fingers magnify or if the patient experiences electrical or other
abnormal types of sensations into the hand or fingers.
The
gold standard test for carpal tunnel syndrome is called a nerve
conduction study (NCS) and is performed by a physician board certified
in Electrodiagnostic Studies. The NCS can tell right away whether
someone has carpal tunnel syndrome as well as the severity of the
carpal tunnel syndrome.
In
some cases, symptoms mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome are actually
coming from the neck and are caused from pinched nerves in the neck.
Additionally, someone may have what is called the Double Crush Syndrome.
Double Crush Syndrome is when the patient has both carpal tunnel
syndrome and pinched nerves in the neck.
How
is Carpal Tunnel Traditionally Treated?
Mild
to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are treated most effectively
with rehabilitation using both physical therapy and chiropractic
care. New technologies such as low level cold laser therapy have
some promising studies suggesting very good results from low level
laser therapy to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, vibration
therapy, ultrasound and rehabilitative exercises can provide long
lasting relief and correction to carpal tunnel syndrome.
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