Waking up with numb, tingling hands?
Do your fingers go to sleep while you type, drive or hold a phone? Does your grip feel weaker than it used to, so cups and keys slip away? Hand symptoms like these are hard to ignore. Our approach follows the whole route the nerves take, from the neck through the shoulder and arm to the wrist, with adjustments that stay light and gentle.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in the wrist, is squeezed or irritated. That nerve gives feeling to the thumb and the fingers beside it and helps control some small muscles of the hand. A medical doctor can confirm the diagnosis with an exam and sometimes nerve testing.
If hand numbness comes on suddenly with weakness, trouble speaking or a drooping face, call 911.
Common signs include:
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb and first fingers
- A burning or aching feeling in the hand or wrist
- Symptoms that are worse at night or on waking
- A weaker grip, or dropping things
- Clumsiness with small tasks like buttons
- Pain that travels up the forearm
- Repeated hand and wrist motions, such as typing or using tools
- Holding the wrist bent for long stretches
- Swelling from pregnancy or from health conditions like diabetes
- A past wrist injury or fracture
- Pressure on the same nerves higher up, in the neck or shoulder
What causes carpal tunnel symptoms?
The passage in the wrist can become crowded, or the nerve inside it irritated, for several reasons. Common ones include:
Upper cervical chiropractors look at how the head sits over the shoulders. In our view, a head that drifts forward can make the neck and shoulder muscles work harder, and that tension may add to the strain along the path the arm’s nerves travel.
How upper cervical care can help
Because hand symptoms can start at the wrist or farther up the arm, the first job is a thorough look at the whole picture. Your exam may include a posture evaluation with software, neurological testing, muscle assessments and 3D imaging of your neck. If a medical doctor has not yet checked your hands, we encourage that visit too.
If your findings point to a misalignment in the upper neck, gentle adjustments aim to restore better alignment, which may help your head, neck and shoulders carry their load more evenly. Our goal is to ease the tension that travels from the neck and shoulders toward the hands. Where the wrist itself is the main problem, your medical doctor or a hand specialist stays an important part of your care.
Checking the whole nerve path
We look beyond the wrist, at the neck, shoulders and arm, because the nerves that serve your hand pass through all of them.
Posture at your desk
Many hand symptoms show up with computer work. We look at how your head and shoulders sit and talk through simple ways to set up your workspace.
Testing your nerves
Simple checks of strength, reflexes and feeling in the arms and hands show how your nerves are working and help us track changes as care goes on.
Teamwork with your doctor
If a wrist splint, hand therapy or other medical care is part of your plan, we are glad to work alongside it.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with carpal tunnel symptoms, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Whiplash
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sports Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.