While whiplash is the single most well-known symptoms commonly felt by victims of a car accident, it is not the only injury that’s possible. There are several others possible, from traumatic injuries to one area many would not normally associate with a vehicle accident: Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS.
At Peterson Chiropractic, we’re proud to offer a variety of auto accident therapy services, from whiplash recovery to chiropractic care for several potential conditions, including CTS. In today’s blog, we’ll go over everything you need to know about CTS – its basics, symptoms and what you should be doing if you fear it’s become an issue for you following a car accident or any other kind of trauma.
CTS Basics
While most people associate CTS with writers, workers and those who have to perform tasks over and over again with their hands, these are not the only individuals who can get it. It can also be caused by sudden trauma, in which case it’s referred to as acute CTS or traumatic CTS.
The carpal tunnel is actually a small space along the wrist, in which the median nerve, blood vessels and a variety of flexor tendons sit. When damage or pressure take place around this tunnel, CTS can form. When areas in the forearm and wrist are damaged during a car accident, they can swell and compress the median nerve, causing acute CTS in the process. This often happens when accident victims grip the steering wheel or another part of the car just before the impact of the accident.
CTS Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of CTS can include:
- Aching
- Tingling or burning sensation
- Itching
- Numbness in the hand or wrist
- Weakness in the hands
- Reduced grip strength
In many cases of acute CTS, the symptoms may not be visible right away – in others, they will be.
Effects and Seeking Treatment
You may notice CTS symptoms that ebb and flow, present sometimes and then gone at other times. They may get worse at night and cause sleep issues, and often will get worse as time goes on if they are not treated.
CTS is just one of many reasons why it’s vital to seek both medical attention and the care of a quality chiropractor following a car accident. A chiropractor can give an exam and diagnostic tests to determine if CTS is taking place in the wrist, plus can offer the kinds of treatments that help reduce CTS symptoms and eventually eliminate the condition in coordination with medication or other treatment methods from a doctor.
For more on carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from car accidents, or to learn how a chiropractor and massage therapy services benefit you after being in such a collision, speak to the staff at Peterson Chiropractic today.