Those who are suffering from the debilitating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome know the unfortunate toll it can take on everyday life and overall well being. The most common symptoms that are experienced when living with carpal tunnel include numbness, tingling, chronic pain, muscle weakness, and decreased mobility. Of course, the symptoms that come along with carpal tunnel vary depending on the severity of the patient’s case.
Here are 5 more surprising symptoms of carpal tunnel you may not have known about:
- Dropping almost everything that you are holding, such as groceries, bags, or mugs.
- Waking up in the middle of the night with a sore hand.
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as buttoning your clothing or tying your shoes.
- The feeling of always having cold hands due to narrowed or compressed blood vessels.
- Difficulty typing on a computer or texting. This is caused by the tendons around the nerve becoming swollen and thus compressing the nerve, causing pain and discomfort.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, occurs when there is a pinch or compression in the median nerve located in the wrist that results in pain, discomfort, numbness, and tingling. This can travel up the forearm into the palm of the hand.
The tendons that run through the tunnel bind the muscles to the bones that help you use your hands to flex your fingers and thumb. The nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel to enter the hand is the median nerve. The median nerve is pinched, which induces numbness and tingling in the region of the hand where the nerve extends. Swelling can occur when a movement is made repeatedly.
The most common causes of carpal tunnel include:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- High blood pressure
- Autoimmune disorders for example rheumatoid arthritis
- Injury to the hand or wrist
- Fluid retention caused by menopause or pregnancy
Many people can develop carpal tunnel, even children. It is most common in people over the age of 30. This is caused by choice of careers, for example, operators, assembly line workers, or salon stylists. This is because they are constantly using their hands and wrists.
PRP Therapy as a Non-Invasive and Effective Treatment Option for Relief
One non-invasive and effective treatment option for carpal tunnel from which many patients have reported positive results is PRP therapy. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, treatment is a non-invasive, alternative pain relief option that encourages the body’s natural healing abilities to alleviate pain at the source.
As PRP is injected directly into the troubled area of the wrist, it distributes regenerative components that contribute to the healing process for effective relief. Platelets play a very significant role in the body’s ability to heal and repair itself. When these healing platelets are extracted and concentrated into a healing injection, they provide an immense boost to the body’s naturally-occuring mechanisms, bringing relief straight to the source of pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and would like to learn more about effective alternative treatment options, call us today at (727) 866-4420 for a free consultation.