CARPAL TUNNEL
True Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) affects an estimated 3% to 5% of adults in the general population. It is caused by compression of the nerve at the wrist caused by overexertion through repetitive actions like: typing, writing and swinging sports equipment. Accidents that bend your wrist the wrong way can also contribute to it.
The name of this nerve is the"Median Nerve" and it is responsible for many of the functions of your fingers and hands. Think of the median nerve as one of the bridges between your brain and your hands.
So when this nerve is compressed, you may feel pain, tingling, and/or weakness in your hands and fingers. Over time it will lead to decreased function so simple things like writing or holding up your coffee cup become painful or difficult.
It can also create long term damage that can affect your quality of life so completely that it will become priority number one and you will seek out treatments, or even go so far as to have surgery;
Don't let it get that bad. Call right away and let's assess what options you have.
What if your “carpal tunnel” is not actually coming from your wrist?
Sometimes the median nerve is irritated at the carpal tunnel, but sometimes the problem is "further up the line" in the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, or even a combination of places. At AFC AZ we start at the top: the neck and follow the whole nerve pathway, not just the spot that hurts.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at randomized controlled trials using "manual therapy" for CTS. The authors concluded that manual therapy improved pain intensity, physical function, and nerve conduction measures in patients with CTS.
This does not prove “chiropractic cures carpal tunnel,” but it does support manual therapy as a reasonable, conservative care option, most likely in conjunction with altered life activities, improved diet, supplements and home palliative care.
What Are Your Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment?
Patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome can make significant improvements with nonsurgical care such as night splinting, activity modification, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and sometimes corticosteroid injection. From a Chiropractic perspective, adjusting the neck and the entire upper extremity can be helpful. Most important, though is diagnosing the causative activity and eliminating or minimizing it.
Why do your hands go numb, tingle, or wake you up at night?
Numbness and tingling usually mean a nerve is irritated or compressed. With carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve gets crowded at your wrist. That can cause tingling, burning, numbness, weakness, cramping or that annoying need to “shake your hand awake.” Night symptoms are common because of a prolonged or twisted wrist position and swelling can increase pressure on the nerve.
Can carpal tunnel syndrome be helped before surgery becomes the conversation?
Often, yes. Mild to moderate carpal tunnel symptoms may respond to conservative care, especially when caught early. Our goal is to reduce irritation, improve wrist and arm mechanics, address posture and neck tension, and help the nerve move better through the system. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases, but it should not be the only sentence in the conversation.
What everyday habits are quietly making your carpal tunnel symptoms worse?
Gripping, typing, scrolling, sleeping with bent wrists, poor desk setup, repetitive lifting, and tension through the neck and shoulders can all add stress to the nerve. The problem is not always one big injury. Sometimes it is 10 small things repeated 10,000 times until the nerve finally says, “Absolutely not.”
When does hand numbness stop being annoying and start becoming a warning sign?
If you are dropping things, losing grip strength, feeling constant numbness, noticing your hand is smaller than the other, it is time to take action quickly. If your symptoms are spreading or getting worse, do not ignore it.
Nerves do not love being compressed for long periods of time and the longer they are compressed, the less likely you will recover 100%.
The sooner we figure out where the irritation is coming from, the better chance we have of helping the hand function normally again.
Are you considering calling for help?
If you are suffering with CTS, the ALPHA 5 PHASE SYSTEM is a good option for you because CTS usually needs more than a wrist brace and crossed fingers. Conservative care should calm the irritated nerve, improve neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist biomechanics, restore strength to all of those muscles , and change the habits that keep feeding the problem.
Alpha 5 gives us a clear path:
Relieve symptoms,
Realign the wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, and posture,
Rebuild strength and tissue tolerance,
Retrain better movement and work habits, then
Reclaim normal function.
It is not the same plan for everyone, but each plan is going to be built on those same components. If you are thinking you would like to come in and learn more but are not ready to commit to a full work-up and Day 1 visit, then schedule
The Body Fix Assessment is a short appointment with an abbreviated amount of paperwork. You will come in and consult with the doctor, discuss your challenges and concerns
and leave knowing what to do next.
QUICK LINKS
office hours
Mon: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tue: 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Wed: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thu: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sat: Appointment only
Sun: Closed
129 S Smith Road #101 Tempe, AZ 85288
Just south of Tempe Marketplace
at the Junction of the 101 & 202 Freeways
© Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved.
