Hand Numbness, Tingling, and Pain: could my neck be the cause?
Almost everyone in Springfield has heard of carpal tunnel, which is characterized by pain and numbness in the hands. However, many people are unaware that hand numbness, tingling, and pain can also be caused by issues in the neck. This condition is known as cervical radiculopathy. In this blog, we will discuss what may be causing these symptoms and how our office successfully manages both carpal tunnel and cervical radiculopathy.
Understanding Hand Numbness, Tingling, and Pain
There are three main nerves that innervate the muscles and structures of your hand. Each nerve affects different parts of the hand. Depending on which nerve is affected, different fingers may go numb. For instance:
C6 - innervates your thumb and pointer finger.
C7 - innervates your middle finger.
C8 - innervates your ring and pinky finger.
Why a Problem in Your Neck Could Be Causing Hand Numbness
All of these nerves exit from your neck and travel through your shoulder and arm to eventually innervate different parts of your hand. This means that a problem in your neck could be causing your hand numbness. There are several conditions that can lead to hand numbness, including carpal tunnel, cervical radiculopathy from disc bulges or degenerative discs, thoracic outlet syndrome, and spinal stenosis. A thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Why You Should See a Chiropractor for Hand Numbness, Tingling, or Pain
Chiropractors are experts in diagnosing conditions of the entire neuro-musculo-skeletal system, not just the spine. We perform orthopedic and neurological tests to rule out other conditions and determine the exact cause of your symptoms. Chiropractors successfully treat many of these cases through conservative methods like chiropractic manipulation, rehabilitative exercise, or gentle soft tissue work.
Surgery is expensive and it is irreversible. Conservative treatment options such as Chiropractic and Physical Therapy should be explored first, before undergoing surgery.
