ALIGN INtegrative Health BLog
Osteopathic Manual Therapy for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
In today's digital age, where keyboards and smartphones are ubiquitous, the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has become increasingly common. This condition, characterized by numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist, can significantly impact daily activities and diminish overall quality of life. While traditional treatments often focus on managing symptoms, osteopathy offers a holistic approach that targets the root cause of CTS, providing lasting relief and restoring functionality to the affected area.
What Causes Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or irritated as it passes through the carpal tunnel—a narrow passageway in the wrist. This compression can result from a variety of factors, including repetitive movements, injury, or underlying medical conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. Over time, the pressure on the median nerve can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. One main cause of carpel tunnel is major injuries to the shoulder, arm, or hand in the past that have not been addressed, such as broken bones or large impact style injuries.
Traditional Treatments vs. Osteopathic Approach
Traditional treatments for CTS often involve splinting, medication, or surgery to alleviate symptoms or release pressure on the median nerve. While these methods may provide temporary relief, they often fail to address the underlying dysfunctions that contribute to the condition. Osteopathy, on the other hand, takes a more comprehensive approach, focusing on identifying and treating the root cause of CTS.
Can Osteopathy Help Treat Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?
Osteopathy offers a range of gentle, hands-on techniques designed to relieve pressure on the median nerve, improve wrist mobility, and restore balance to the surrounding structures. These techniques may include:
Soft Tissue Manipulation: By releasing tension in the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the wrist and forearm, osteopathic practitioners can alleviate pressure on the median nerve and reduce symptoms of CTS.
Joint Mobilization: Gentle manipulation of the wrist and hand joints can help restore proper alignment and mobility, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Nerve Mobilization: Specific techniques aimed at mobilizing the median nerve can help alleviate compression and improve nerve function, providing relief from symptoms of CTS.
Postural Influences: Osteopaths also address contributing factors from other parts of the body that could be causing biomechanical imbalances, which may exacerbate symptoms of CTS. By correcting these issues, they can help prevent recurrence and promote long-term relief.
Experience Relief with Osteopathy!
Located in Langford, BC our clinic has an Osteopathic Practitioner with experience treating Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Click here to book in.
Osteopathy: A Holistic Approach to Health and Well-being
Osteopathy, a patient-centered manual therapy, is a safe and effective approach that aligns with the body’s natural mechanisms to restore balance and optimal health. This therapy recognizes the intimate connection between the body’s functionality and its structure. It emphasizes the need for all parts of the body to work in harmony to sustain health. By addressing the person as a whole, osteopathy aims to enhance not only structure and function but also overall health and well-being.
Osteopathic Practitioners employ skilled palpation and manual techniques to influence muscles, joints, nerves, connective tissue, circulation, and internal organs. This approach supports the body’s innate ability to restore and maintain health.
Osteopathic Practitioners are healthcare professionals who have completed extensive training in osteopathic manual practice and theory. They study in the human sciences, the interconnectedness of all bodily systems, and the art of promoting alignment, organic function, neurovascular health, and circulation of all body fluids. Specifically, practitioners that are members of Osteopathy BC have completed a minimum of a 4-year diploma with hands on instruction. Jeff has recently graduated from the Canadian School of Osteopathy with a Diploma of Osteopathy Manual Practice and is currently in the process of registering with Osteopathy BC.
While using a holistic approach to assess and treat their patients, taking into account their physical, emotional, and environmental factors, Osteopathic Practitioners cater to individuals of all ages, from newborns to seniors. Whether you're grappling with pain or dysfunction, or simply seeking preventive measures to enhance your well-being, Osteopathy offers assistance.
Osteopathic Practitioners are proficient in addressing a diverse array of conditions, such as:
- Neck and back pain and tension
- Headaches
- Sleep or energy issues
- Sports injuries
- Concussion
- Injuries from car accidents
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Joint or muscle pain
- Digestive, respiratory, or menstrual problems
- Pre and post-natal support
- Jaw dysfunction
Osteopathy is a drug-free and surgery-free approach that optimizes the body's innate ability to heal itself and achieve equilibrium. The benefits encompass:
- Pain relief
- Increased range of motion
- Enhanced circulation
- Trauma healing
- Hormonal balance
- Reduced stress and tension
- Improved posture
Osteopathic Practitioners view the body as a unified functional entity. We appreciate the body's inherent ability to heal itself and are equipped to support this potential through an array of manual techniques. We concentrate on the interplay between the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue, and internal organs.
Jeff will be seeing new patients (including pediatric patients) here at Align Integrative Health in Langford, BC. We are located right above Willowbrae Childcare Academy, in the Millstream Centre across Veterans Memorial Parkway from the Langford RCMP.
Click here to book in for Osteopath Victoria Jane app.
Keywords; osteopath victoria, osteopath langford
