Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Lynnwood
Carpal tunnel syndrome can make everyday stuff feel like a fight. Typing, holding a phone, driving, even sleeping can set off pain, tingling, or weakness in your hands. At Alderwood Back and Neck Pain in Lynnwood, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC offers natural, non‑surgical carpal tunnel relief that focuses on finding why your wrist and nerve are irritated, not just masking symptoms.
Using careful exams, orthopedic and neurological testing, and chiropractic techniques that keep joints and soft tissues moving well, we work to ease wrist nerve compression and support long term function.
If you are looking for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in Lynnwood, a one on one consultation is the best place to start. Call (425) 775-6767 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets compressed as it passes through a narrow “tunnel” of bone and ligament in your wrist. That median nerve helps control feeling and strength in your thumb, index, middle, and part of your ring finger. When the tunnel gets crowded or inflamed, the nerve gets cranky.
Common symptoms include:
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Pain or burning in the wrist or hand, sometimes traveling up the forearm
- Weakness, dropping objects, or trouble gripping
- Nighttime symptoms that wake you up
In our clinic, we also pay attention to how your neck, shoulder, and posture might be contributing, because nerve irritation is rarely just about one small spot. We look at the whole chain, not just the wrist.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
While symptoms can look different for everyone, a clinical study from the National Institutes of Health points out that they usually develop slowly over time. You might notice:
- Tingling that runs from your forearm up toward your shoulder
- Persistent, uncomfortable pain
- A hand that feels awkward or clumsy during everyday tasks
- Numbness
- A burning sensation in your hand or wrist
Since most people naturally bend their wrists while sleeping, these symptoms can also show up at night. For many, they fade on their own. But if the pain keeps escalating, the symptoms can become more frequent, stick around longer, and feel way more intense.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There is usually more than one cause. Just like with back and neck pain, Dr. Szigety sees carpal tunnel syndrome as a mix of repetitive stress, mechanics, and overall health.
Common contributors include:
- Repetitive hand and wrist motions from typing, tools, or assembly work
- Poor ergonomics, such as bent wrists on a keyboard or tight mouse space
- Postural strain from “tech neck” and rounded shoulders that tension nerves higher up
- Swelling from hormonal changes like pregnancy or fluid retention
- Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid issues, or arthritis that affect nerve and tissue health
- Past wrist injuries or falls that changed joint alignment
Over time, these stresses can narrow the carpal tunnel, irritate the flexor tendons, and create sustained median nerve compression. Part of your visit is mapping which of these factors actually apply to you, so your plan is real life and not generic.
How Do We Diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome at Alderwood Back and Neck Pain is a step by step process, similar to how Dr. Szigety approaches spine and joint problems in general. First is a detailed history, including when symptoms started, whether they wake you at night, and what your work and hobbies look like.
The physical exam may include:
- Orthopedic tests that stress the wrist and median nerve
- Neurological checks for sensation, strength, and reflex changes
- Evaluation of posture, shoulder and neck motion, and muscle tone
- Palpation of the wrist, forearm, and cervical spine to feel for tightness or joint restriction
X‑rays may be used to evaluate joint alignment or rule out arthritis higher up the chain. If we suspect more complex nerve involvement, we may co‑manage with your medical provider and refer for nerve conduction studies or EMG. The goal is a clear picture before committing you to a plan.
What Does the Treatment Plan Look Like?
Your care starts with a full assessment, not just a quick look at your wrist. Dr. Szigety takes a detailed history, asking when symptoms started, whether they are worse at night, what eases or aggravates them, and what you do for work and hobbies. Then comes a physical exam with orthopedic and neurological tests, posture and alignment checks, joint motion testing, and hands on palpation of the wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, and neck. X‑rays may be ordered if other joint or spinal issues are suspected.
A typical non‑surgical carpal tunnel relief plan may include:
- Gentle adjustments to improve motion in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and cervical spine
- Soft tissue and myofascial work for tight forearm, hand, and neck muscles
- Specific stretches and strengthening drills for hand, wrist, and forearm
- Ergonomic coaching for keyboard height, mouse setup, grip, and posture
- Heat or cold therapy, and when appropriate, therapeutic laser or other physio modalities to calm inflamed tissues
Visit frequency and duration are based on your exam findings, nerve irritation level, and how your body responds over time.
Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Chiropractic care focuses on how your joints, muscles, and nervous system work together. For carpal tunnel syndrome, that means we are not only interested in the carpal tunnel itself, but also in the way your neck, shoulder, and elbow may be loading the median nerve long before it reaches your wrist.
With chiropractic you get:
- A non‑invasive, medication‑free approach that aims at root causes, not just covering symptoms
- Hands‑on care for joint motion and muscle balance, combined with lifestyle and ergonomic coaching
- A chiropractor who takes time to explain what is going on and loves real conversations, not rushed visits
- The option to coordinate with pain management or orthopedic providers if your case needs a team approach
Chiropractic does not replace medical care or surgery when those are necessary, but it can often be a powerful first line for wrist nerve compression symptoms.
Long-Term Problems Without Treatment
Ignoring carpal tunnel symptoms and just “shaking it out” can feel easier in the short term, but long term it can create bigger problems. Ongoing median nerve compression can eventually lead to more persistent numbness that does not fully go away, even when you change positions. Grip strength and fine motor control, like buttoning shirts or opening jars, can drop as hand muscles weaken.
In advanced cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may start to flatten or atrophy. Daily tasks at work and at home can become harder, which adds stress on top of pain. In some situations, surgery may become the only option if conservative care is delayed too long. Our goal is not to scare you, but to be honest that nerves prefer early respect. Getting checked sooner lets us figure out if conservative chiropractic care makes sense for your situation.
Case Studies
A 35‑year‑old software developer came in with three months of tingling and numbness in her right hand, especially at night and while using her mouse. She was dropping her phone and waking up to shake her hand out. On exam, she had classic median nerve compression signs at the wrist plus tight forearm muscles and forward head posture from long coding sessions.
Her plan included gentle wrist and cervical adjustments, myofascial work to her forearm and shoulder, and simple nerve‑gliding and wrist stretches. We also tweaked her desk setup and taught her to take short “movement snacks” away from the keyboard. Within four to six weeks, her night symptoms were much less intense and she was sleeping through most nights. Grip and comfort with the mouse kept improving over the next month.
At home, she was asked to:
- Keep wrists neutral, not bent, when typing
- Use a light, short term night splint if symptoms flared
Do daily forearm stretches and posture breaks
Book An Appointment
Please use the booking tool below to book an appointment or by calling us on (425) 775-6767
FAQs - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What offers temporary relief for carpal tunnel symptoms?
Short breaks from repetitive activity, gentle wrist and finger stretches, and keeping your wrist in a neutral position can help. Some people feel better with brief use of a night splint to keep the wrist from bending while they sleep. These are usually short term strategies while we work on the real mechanical and postural causes.
Does cracking your knuckles cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
No. Knuckle cracking does not cause carpal tunnel syndrome. CTS is about median nerve compression in the wrist, not gas bubbles in the joints. That said, extreme repetitive joint cracking can irritate tissues over time, so we still encourage reasonable habits.
Is it okay to wear a wrist brace?
A brace can be useful in the short term, especially at night, to keep the wrist from dropping into a bent position. Long term, relying on a brace all day can let muscles weaken. We usually pair any bracing with exercises, ergonomic changes, and hands‑on care so your wrist can eventually handle life without constant support.
Does insurance cover chiropractic CTS treatment?
Many plans offer some coverage for chiropractic care, including visits related to carpal tunnel syndrome, but benefits vary a lot. Our team can help you check your specific plan so you know what to expect before you start care.
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