Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets squeezed at the wrist, by swelling or by the small wrist bones shifting out of place. It works much like a nerve pinched by the bones of the spine. Dr. Kalay’s exam looks at the wrist and the spine, because the problem isn’t always where it hurts.
Sounds familiar?
Often there’s no single clear reason for carpal tunnel syndrome. When there is one, it usually falls into one of these.
01
Some patients can recall a specific injury to the wrist, with symptoms starting shortly after.
02
Jobs that keep the hands and wrists doing the same motions all day, or involve long-term use of vibrating tools, are among the biggest contributors.
03
Metabolic disorders involving the thyroid or pituitary gland can also play a part in how carpal tunnel develops.
04
When symptoms show up in both hands, the nerve irritation can start in the spine. Care that only focuses on the wrist can miss it.
The right approach depends on what’s behind it, so care starts with an evaluation. Dr. Kalay builds a plan around your condition, beginning with non-invasive care.
For the spine and wrist
Care usually begins with adjustments to the spine, to correct nerve interference that can feed symptoms in the hand. If symptoms persist, Dr. Kalay may add gentle adjustments to the bones of the wrist and therapies for the surrounding tissues.
How it worksWhere every plan starts
A consultation and exam to find the cause, then a plan you understand before care begins. Your first consultation is complimentary.
Reviewed by
Dr. Gurj Kalay, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic West (2014)
General information, not medical advice. Your own exam decides your care.
Most people notice burning, pain or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers. The hand can feel weak, and picking up small objects gets harder. Some people feel as if the hand is swollen even when no swelling is there.
Often the cause isn’t completely clear. Some people can point to an injury to the wrist. Repetitive use of the hands and wrists at work, long-term use of vibrating tools, and thyroid or pituitary disorders can all contribute.
The nerves that reach your hand pass through the spine first. Just as bones in the spine can pinch a nerve, the bones of the wrist can compress the median nerve. When symptoms show up in both hands, the irritation can start in the spine, so Dr. Kalay checks both rather than only the spot that hurts.
It usually starts in the dominant hand, depending on the activity, though symptoms in both hands are not uncommon. It is also more common in women, partly because of the size of the tunnel itself.
Not as a first step. The right management depends on the underlying cause, and it is generally advised to begin with non-invasive care. Dr. Kalay evaluates your condition and builds a plan around it, and if you need care from another provider, the clinic is happy to refer you.
Non-surgical care for carpal tunnel on Century Park Drive, looking at the spine as well as the wrist. The clinic serves Yuba City, Marysville, Live Oak, Gridley, Plumas Lake, Olivehurst, Wheatland and Colusa.
Call or book online. Your first consultation with Dr. Kalay is complimentary.
New patient? Send the new patient form and the team will contact you to set up your first visit.
New patient special437 Century Park Dr Ste A · Yuba City, CA
