Carpal Tunnel in Laguna Beach CA

Having healthy, pain-free joints is one of the keys to living an active and vibrant life! Joints give us the opportunity to move, bend, walk, run, push, pull, dance, and jump! Without joints, our existence would change dramatically. Take our hands, for instance. Each contains 29 joints with three in each finger, two in each thumb, and multiple within the wrist creating an amazing ability to move and function in a vast variety of ways. The hands help us to create beautiful art with a paintbrush, write poetry with a pen, cook delicious meals using utensils, and hold hands with the ones we love. Our hands affect our work, our creativity, and our relationships.

Joints bend and straighten with the movements of life, carrying us forward as we walk on this beautiful journey. We want our joints to create freedom in our lives instead of blockage. However, that is not always the case, and often we experience pain or discomfort in our joints. Good thing that isn’t the end of the story! There are ways to find relief to joint pain as the inflammation and structural issues behind the problem are cared for by our chiropractors in Laguna Beach CA.

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WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME in Laguna Beach CA?

One common joint complication is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, arising in the wrist joint. The median nerve runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand through a small tunnel-like space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, created by bones and tendons. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets pinched in this space resulting in tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand. As the compression worsens, the pain can travel up the arm even into the shoulder and neck. Carpal tunnel often affects people in certain careers including cashiers, typists, manual workers etc. It is estimated to affect 1% of the general public and 5% of the working population.

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CAUSES OF NERVE COMPRESSION

The cause of the nerve compression varies. There is often a structural or biochemical component to the issue. Repetitive strain on the wrist and past injury to the area can create inflammation and structural misalignment pinching the nerve. Abnormal mechanics of the wrist also arise from muscle spasms and weak muscles in the hand, arm, and neck areas. On the other side of the spectrum, these seemingly unconnected issues also contribute to carpal tunnel: overactivity of the pituitary gland, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause.

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HOW WE CAN HELP

Health in Balance has worked with thousands of patients suffering from carpal tunnel. Many have had great success with their treatment and were able to see their problem resolved without the need for surgery. We assess the cause of the compressed nerve and work to find a solution. For structural based cases, we work to strengthen the weak muscles, relieve muscle spasms and adhesions, decrease inflammation in the joint, and restore normal nerve flow from the brain to the wrist. We also look at biochemical components that may be causing inflammation and combine supplementation and dietary protocols to reduce the inflammation. For the cases affected by other conditions including arthritis, hypothyroidism, and pituitary overactivity, we use integrative medicine to improve the underlying issue.

It is important to address the issue early to prevent further damage to the nerve. If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, we would love to help restore your wrist and hand function so you are able to use your hands, free to work, create, and do the things you love!

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HELPFUL TIPS

Here are a few tips to help along the road to recovery.

• Eat blueberries- they help strengthen the integrity of the connective tissue in the joint
• Try vitamin B6 and B12 as well as the supplement Joint Synergy
• Check your wrist movements throughout the day and be sure to minimize repetitive strain on the joint

We want to see you pain-free and thriving!