Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve, which travels from the forearm into the hand. The nerve passes through a small passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel.

When swelling or tightness develops in this area, it can place pressure on the median nerve and lead to classic carpal tunnel symptoms:

• Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers
• Weak grip strength (dropping objects unexpectedly)
• Pain that gets worse at night
• A burning or “electric shock” feeling in the hand and wrist

Carpal tunnel syndrome can start gradually, often with mild tingling during activities such as typing on a computer mouse or holding a steering wheel. Left untreated, however, it can progress to muscle weakness and even permanent nerve damage.

Most patients I meet don’t come in just because of the pain. They come because carpal tunnel syndrome is interfering with their life.

For one person, it may mean waking up multiple times at night with tingling in the palm side of the hand. Moreover, it’s the frustration of not being able to cook, write, or enjoy hobbies without experiencing discomfort.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can make the simplest activities—buttoning a shirt, carrying a shopping bag, even scrolling through your phone—feel like challenges. Over time, this can impact not only your wrist function but also your mood, energy, and overall quality of life.

There isn’t always a single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. More often, it’s a combination of everyday habits and health factors. Some common causes and risk factors include:

• Repetitive movements, such as constant typing or gaming
• Workplace factors, like long hours without breaks or poor ergonomics
• Wrist fractures or past injuries that narrow the carpal tunnel space
• Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy that create fluid buildup
• Genetic factors—some people are simply born with a smaller carpal tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is surprisingly common. In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of people undergo surgery for CTS each year, even though many non-surgical treatment options exist.

Here’s where chiropractic care makes a difference. Rather than focusing solely on the wrist, a chiropractor considers the broader picture, encompassing the spine, shoulders, arms, and how these components interconnect. Sometimes, nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome is made worse by misalignments higher up in the body. Correcting these through chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pressure on the median nerve and restore healthy nerve communication.

Chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel may include:

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, or spine to reduce pressure on the median nerve.
• Soft tissue therapy to ease muscle tension and inflammation in the forearm and wrist.
• Stretches and exercises to improve mobility and prevent stiffness.
• Postural and ergonomic coaching so activities at work or home don’t make symptoms worse.

By improving alignment and nerve flow, chiropractic care can help reduce pain, restore wrist function, and support long-term healing.

If you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, it’s normal to feel a bit unsure. Your first visit is really about listening to your story. A chiropractor will ask about your symptoms, daily activities, and any risk factors associated with carpal tunnel.

Then, they’ll perform gentle tests—checking grip strength, wrist range of motion, and sometimes even posture and spinal alignment.

Based on what they find, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan. This might include adjustments, soft tissue therapy, or exercises. Most patients describe chiropractic adjustments as surprisingly gentle.

Instead of side effects, what you’ll often notice is a gradual sense of relief—sometimes even after the first session.

One patient, a young professional in Singapore, came in after months of pain in the wrist and hand. She worked long hours on her laptop, and the tingling would often wake her at night.

After a series of chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy, she reported improved grip strength, better sleep, and reduced pain, which allowed her to focus at work again.

Another patient, a retiree who loved gardening, feared she’d have to stop because of muscle weakness and numbness in her ring fingers. With a consistent treatment plan and ergonomic adjustments, she was able to return to her garden—without pain.

Stories like these are a reminder that with carpal tunnel syndrome, your body can heal when given the right support.

Alongside chiropractic care, there are many natural treatment strategies that can help with carpal tunnel:

• Ergonomics: Adjusting your chair, desk, and monitor height to reduce strain.
• Breaks: Taking 5 minutes every hour to stretch your wrists and arms.
• Heat and cold therapy: Using a warm compress to relax muscles or ice to ease inflammation.
• Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory foods, such as salmon, walnuts, and leafy greens, can support the healing process.
• Wrist supports: Using a neutral wrist brace at night to prevent flexion.

These holistic ways of supporting recovery make chiropractic care more effective and give patients long-term tools to protect their wrists.

It may be time to see a chiropractor if:

• Tingling or numbness in the wrist and hand persists for weeks
• Carpal tunnel symptoms interrupt your sleep
• You notice muscle weakness or reduced grip strength
• Pain spreads up the arm or worsens with activities

Don’t wait until symptoms become severe. Early chiropractic adjustments and care can help prevent permanent nerve damage and reduce the need for surgery.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can make life feel limited, but you don’t have to live in discomfort. Chiropractic care is a safe and natural treatment option that can help reduce pain, restore wrist function, and give you back confidence in your daily activities.

If you’re in Singapore and seeking relief from carpal tunnel syndrome, we at Asia Chiropractic and Wellness Singapore would be delighted to accompany you on this journey. Together, we can create a treatment plan that not only addresses your symptoms but also supports your whole body’s natural ability to heal.