There is some compelling evidence that carpal tunnel syndrome may be more common in people who use their hands for strenuous, repetitive tasks (dental hygienists, office or skilled labor jobs, tennis players, golfers, and even knitters) as well as among those making extensive use of vibrating tools. Contrary to popular belief, little evidence suggests that repetitive typing and keyboard use may be a contributing factor. Recent research has actually shown that a certain level of typing may actually be beneficial in preventing carpal tunnel.

Medical management for carpal tunnel usually consists of prescribing NSAIDs. This class of pharmaceuticals has been known to cause stomach bleeding, peptic ulcers, and kidney failure, as well as high blood pressure. If the NSAIDs are not effective, orthopedic surgeons may perform an operation that cuts the transverse carpal ligament in half to alleviate the pressure. This surgery has an alarmingly high failure rate.

A chiropractor knows that if your hands have pain and tingling, the first place to look is your neck, specifically in the mid to lower cervical spine. This is where the nerve roots which make up the brachial plexus originate. The brachial plexus is divided into nerves including the median and ulnar nerve, which travel all the way to the tips of the fingers. Nerve root irritation can occur at numerous places between the vertebra of the neck and the wrist, which can lead to many secondary complications. When a chiropractor adjusts the neck and removes the irritation at the nerve roots, the secondary or downstream symptoms may simply resolve. This is not only a more conservative approach, but also has a higher success rate than surgery for carpal tunnel.