5 Causes of Hand Numbness: And What to Do About Them
Do you ever experience hand numbness? If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from hand numbness, sometimes on a daily basis.
As your preferred chiropractor in Red Deer, we will discuss the four most common causes of hand numbness. We will also provide tips on how to deal with each one.
Read on to learn more!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One common cause of hand numbness is carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the upper arm to the hand, becomes compressed. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers. If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, there are a few things you can do to ease your symptoms.
First, try wearing a splint or brace at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position. You can also take breaks throughout the day to give your hands a rest, and avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms.
If these measures don’t help, you may need to see a doctor for further treatment. We have found that chiropractic adjustments applied to the bones of the wrist can offer excellent relief in many cases.
Nerve Entrapment
Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, there are other peripheral nerve entrapment sites in the arm that can cause numbness and tingling, or even weakness of hand muscles. These include sites on the radial, ulnar and median nerves.
These three nerves supply different areas of the skin of the arm and hand, so the patterns are distinct and different from each other. If treating carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t resolving your symptoms, it may be one of these other types of nerve entrapment.
Unentrapping the nerve is possible without surgery, so consult our chiropractic office to learn more.
Compression of Nerves In Your Neck: Cervical Radiculopathy
Another common cause of hand numbness is cervical radiculopathy. This condition is caused by compression of the nerves in the neck. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and pain that radiates from the neck into the arm and hand.
Cervical radiculopathy can be treated with a variety of methods, including chiropractic care, and if started early enough, surgery may be able to be avoided.
Compression of Nerves In Your Chest: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The third major cause of hands that go to sleep is called thoracic outlet syndrome. This is a condition that can arise from the compression of nerves or blood vessels in the space between your collarbone and first rib.
Symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the arm and hand. These are the same symptoms we have been talking about, so it’s important to get a proper exam to correctly diagnose the true nature of your condition. Thoracic outlet syndrome often affects people who work with their arms raised above their head for long periods of time, such as hairdressers, painters and plumbers.
It can also be seen in people who play sports that involve overhead motions, such as baseball or tennis. Most often, people with this condition will also wake up in the morning with symptoms due to sleeping on their shoulder overnight.
Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome may include chiropractic techniques applied to the clavicle and first rib to make more space for the blood supply into the arm.
Nerve Damage: Peripheral Neuropathy
Lastly, hand numbness may be part of a peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition that arises from damage to the small nerve endings in the hands and feet. It can be caused by diabetes, certain infections, vitamin deficiencies, exposure to toxins, or autoimmune conditions.
Unlike the previous conditions, the feet are usually involved, often before the hands have any problems, so if you have it in both the hands and feet, this may be the cause. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your chiropractor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Contact Your Chiropractor Today!
Do you experience hand numbness? What do you think is causing it? Reach out to your chiropractor today to get help with your hand numbness.