Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel???? YES!

In a Northwestern College of Chiropractic clinical trial, chiropractic care was compared to conservative medical care.  Two groups underwent 9 weeks of treatment and then a follow-up after 1 month.  The conservative medical care group received ibuprofen and nocturnal wrist supports.  The chiropractic care group received treatment that included “manipulation of the soft tissues and bony joints of the upper extremities and spine” as well as “ultrasound over the carpal tunnel and nocturnal wrist supports”.  Results were monitored using subjective measures such as reported physical and mental distress as well as objective measures including nerve conduction studies and vibrometry.  “There was significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, nerve conduction and finger sensation overall, but no significant differences between groups in the efficacy of either treatment.”  These results show that for patients with some types of carpal tunnel syndrome, chiropractic treatment is as effective as medical care.

 

Source: Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, Meyer JJ. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trail. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 Jun;21(5):317-26. PMID: 9627862.