"What is the Carpal Tunnel -
Whiplash Connection?"
Carpal tunnel symptoms typically come on slowly. Day after day, we are
able to type at the computer with no problem and then one morning a
little tingling in the fingers develops. We shake our hands, stretch the
fingers, and try to go back to the keyboard. Inevitably, the tingling
continues and seems to worsen as we try to do our work.
Why does this occur? Why are we fine one day, and the next we have
disabling pain that interferes with our ability to work? This can be
very distressing psychologically and many patients with carpal tunnel
symptoms show signs of depression.
So, what was the event that triggered the problem? A chiropractic or
medical doctor may ask about a trauma to the wrist bones but most
patients will not say they suffered an accidental injury. Often times,
both hands seem to be affected and trauma is usually seen when landing
on one wrist, with symptoms following within minutes or days of the
event.
But carpal tunnel is much different. The symptoms come on slowly and
out of nowhere. Typing is fine one day, and the next we cannot complete
our work at the keyboard.
Carpal tunnel symptoms come from the nerves that pass through the
wrist. Those nerves begin in the neck, cross the shoulder and go down
the arm before entering the carpal tunnel that is formed by the bones in
the wrist.
Typing is not a traumatic motion for the fingers and the hand. One has
to look at other potential areas where the nerves travel. These areas
can become traumatized from accidents. The neck is especially vulnerable
to trauma from car accidents and sports injuries. The delicate
ligaments and discs of the neck can be injured when the head is whipped
around from trauma.
Unfortunately, when we type, the neck is usually in a forward bent
position, especially if the typist has to look at the keyboard while
working. If the computer user is in this position for many hours during
the day, the nerves can eventually become stretched, producing pain,
tingling and numbness. If those same nerves were traumatized from a
whiplash injury, forward head position alone can be enough to bring on
symptoms. This is why it is important that a doctor looks at more than
just the wrist areas when examining the patient.
When the low back is injured, leg pain or sciatica can result. The
problem is rarely caused by a problem in the leg. Carpal tunnel symptoms
act the same way.