New Research on the “Double Crush” link to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
September 16, 2009
Bayonne and Scotch Plains Chiropractor Comments: Carpal tunnel syndrome patients often complain of neck pain. The same nerves that go through the wrist tunnel, emerge from the neck and can be compressed or irritated at the neck joints. If the nerve is pinched in these two areas, it has been referred to as a “double crush.” Because of this irritation at the neck, focusing only on the wrist for treatment may not be a comprehensive solution to this often debilitating problem.
Recent research (Russel BS. Chiro & Osteo 2008,162doi:10.1186/1746-1340-16-2) has reviewed the evidence for and against this linkage of two problems. Dr. Russel concludes if the wrist symptoms only involve sensation, rather than weakness, then the double crush link may be more tenuous. However, if you have a “motor” problem with a nerve, and experience weakness or loss of grip strength, then the implication of a problem also at the neck appears to be more relevant.
However, since many patients with carpal tunnel will also have neck pain, a trial of chiropractic care at both the wrist and neck is a conservative strategy that seems prudent and should be considered.
If your carpal tunnel symptoms developed after a neck injury or you also have pain into the upper arm or shoulder, these may be clues that your nerve is irritated in more than one location.
Getting to the cause of a problem, rather than just treating the symptoms, is a hallmark of specific chiropractic care. We can assist you with doing corrective wrist strengthening exercises and stretches, which may relieve pressure at the wrist tunnel. Some patients can benefit from nutritional counseling and even weight-loss strategies, since excessive weight is a risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Other patients may need simple ergonomic instruction such as modifying your posture at a workstation, to take pressure off of both the neck and wrist.
The important thing is get properly diagnosed, with x-rays if needed, to get a full and comprehensive picture of the actual problem. Simply limiting wrist motion with a splint may not be enough to make the wrist and hand both pain-free and functional. Many people only consider surgery or daily medications as their only alternatives and fail to consider natural and drug-free chiropractic care
To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services both Hudson County and Union County in New Jersey
Double-Crush Risks and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
August 24, 2009
Bayonne and Scotch Plains Chiropractor Comments: Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome think they have a primary problem in the wrist. While the wrist and hand may be the site of most of your symptoms, the cause can lie elsewhere. The nerves that course through the tiny tunnel in your wrist, originate in your neck. When the vertebrae are twisted in your neck or disk injury is present this can narrow the tunnels in your neck that the nerves must pass through. When this occurs and there is also a problem with compression at the wrist, it is called a double-crush syndrome. Double meaning the nerves are pinched at two locations.
Researchers (Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2007; Oct.11; Moghaderi A, Izadi S) have looked at risk factors for the double crush syndrome. They specifically investigated age, gender, and body mass index (how heavy you are), as independent risk factors for double crush syndrome.
Patients with double-crush syndrome tended to be older. Greater age can have an influence on degeneration of the disks in the neck, which can lead to narrowing of the passages the nerves must course through as they exit the spinal cord and move down the arm. Male patients were also more likely to have double-crush syndrome.
Since double-crush syndrome can be missed if a thorough neck examination is not done, this could lead to inappropriate treatments because the cause is not being addressed.
Chiropractic care focuses on the cause of diseases. Just as a leg pain (e.g. sciatica) usually comes from a lower back problem rather than the leg itself, a wrist problem is not always in the wrist. It’s important to have a comprehensive assessment when carpal tunnel symptoms develop, and this may include x-rays of your neck.
To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Connect With Us!
