Wrist & Hand CareGonstead Method

Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve, but that nerve can be irritated at more than one point. The neck, the thoracic outlet and the forearm can all contribute, so we assess the whole pathway.

Understanding the Condition

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist, and it is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment. It typically shows up as tingling or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often at night or on waking and eased by shaking the hand, with grip weakening over time. Less often considered is the 'double crush' idea: a median nerve already irritated higher up, at the C6–C7 level of the neck or at the thoracic outlet, may produce symptoms at lower wrist pressures than a healthy nerve would. Because nerve irritation can involve more than one point, a Gonstead chiropractor at Bewell's clinic opening soon in Novena checks the neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist together, feeling each segment of the neck and upper back by hand for tenderness and restricted movement and testing the forearm and wrist, to understand where the nerve may be under strain and whether a specific, hands-only adjustment is suitable. Constant numbness, thumb-muscle wasting or symptoms in both hands should be checked by a registered doctor, who can arrange nerve tests for diagnosis; decisions about surgery belong with your doctor.

About this page

Before you book

Prepared by the Bewell Chiropractic team.

Care at Bewell Chiropractic Novena is led by DC Michiko Liew, founder and principal chiropractor and Ambassador of the Gonstead Chiropractic Society Australia, with DC Lim C. Y. Both hold Doctor of Chiropractic qualifications and are not registered medical practitioners in Singapore.

This page is educational and not a diagnosis. Seek urgent medical care for severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, or trauma.

Root Causes

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment of the median nerve, but the nerve can be under strain at several points along its course, not only at the wrist. That is why the whole pathway is worth checking.

Repetitive Wrist Flexion (Desk Work)

Sustained keyboard and mouse use with a flexed or extended wrist posture chronically elevates carpal tunnel pressure, compressing the median nerve progressively over months.

Cervical Disc & Nerve Root Compression

A C6 or C7 disc herniation compresses the nerve roots that form the median nerve. This proximal lesion sensitises the entire nerve pathway and dramatically lowers the wrist's threshold for symptomatic compression — the double crush.

Thoracic Outlet Compression

The median nerve can be compressed between the scalene muscles or under the pectoralis minor before it even reaches the wrist — producing identical CTS symptoms from a completely different location.

Fluid Retention & Systemic Conditions

Pregnancy, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis increase carpal tunnel pressure through fluid retention and synovial inflammation, precipitating CTS in otherwise borderline cases.

Vibrating Tools & Manual Work

Prolonged use of vibrating tools — drills, grinders, sanders — causes cumulative vascular and nerve injury to the median nerve at the wrist.

Wrist Anatomy & Posture

A congenitally narrow carpal tunnel, ganglion cysts within the tunnel, or chronic wrist hyperextension during sleep narrow the available space for the median nerve.

Progression

How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Progresses

CTS tends to progress from occasional night-time tingling to constant numbness and hand weakness. Having it assessed early gives you a clearer picture sooner.

Stage 1Mild

Intermittent Nocturnal Symptoms

Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers — typically waking the patient at night or present on waking. Shaking the hand relieves symptoms quickly. Nerve conduction studies are often still normal.

Stage 2Moderate

Daytime Symptoms During Activity

Tingling and numbness occurring during driving, holding a phone, or keyboard use. Pain begins at the wrist and occasionally radiates up the forearm. Grip endurance starts to decline.

Stage 3Severe

Constant Symptoms & Grip Weakness

Numbness is now present throughout the day. Fine motor tasks — buttoning shirts, picking up small objects — become difficult. Measurable thenar muscle wasting may begin. Nerve conduction studies confirm significant slowing.

Stage 4Critical

Thenar Atrophy & Permanent Deficit

Lasting wasting of the thenar muscles and permanent loss of sensation. At this stage your doctor may discuss surgical carpal tunnel release, and full sensation may not return if wasting is advanced. With your doctor's agreement, the neck and upper limb can still be assessed afterwards.

An earlier assessment gives you a clearer picture.

The double crush idea means the neck can be part of the picture in some cases. Checking C6–C7 alongside the wrist helps show where the nerve is under strain, and any decision about surgery belongs with your doctor.

Recognition

Do You Experience These Symptoms?

Night-time hand tingling that eases when you shake the hand is a classic sign of CTS. If it has lasted more than a month, it is worth having the nerve pathway assessed rather than waiting.

Thumb & finger tingling

Tingling or 'pins and needles' in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger — the median nerve distribution

Night numbness

Waking at night to shake out numb hands — the most characteristic early symptom of CTS

Weak or clumsy grip

Dropping objects, difficulty with jar lids, or loss of precision with fine motor tasks

Forearm or wrist pain

Aching along the forearm and wrist, sometimes tracking up toward the elbow or shoulder

Thumb muscle wasting

Flattening of the thenar eminence (the fleshy mound at the base of the thumb) is a late sign; please see a doctor promptly

Visit Us

Where to find us in Singapore

Bewell offers precise, hands-only Gonstead chiropractic care at Novena Regency on Thomson Road, opening soon.

Bewell Chiropractic Novena

275 Thomson Road #01-19
Novena Regency
Singapore 307645

+65 8859 7326 Get directions

Book ahead

Opening soon in Novena

Bewell's Gonstead clinic opens soon at Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road. WhatsApp or call +65 8859 7326 to enquire or book ahead.

WhatsApp us Find us

Bewell Chiropractic Novena · 275 Thomson Road #01-19, Novena Regency · near Novena MRT (NS20)

Frequently Asked

Common questions

Carpal tunnel usually causes numbness, tingling or pain in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger. Hand numbness can also come from other areas, so proper testing matters, and a doctor can arrange nerve tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Yes, numbness in the hand can come from the wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck. That is why we assess the full nerve pathway instead of assuming it is only carpal tunnel.

Symptoms can build at night because the wrist may bend during sleep, increasing pressure on the nerve. Many people wake with tingling or numbness, or the urge to shake out the hand.

A Gonstead chiropractor checks your posture, then examines the neck and upper back by hand, one segment at a time, along with the shoulder, elbow and wrist, to see where the nerve pathway may be under strain. If a restricted segment is found and an adjustment is suitable, it is made by hand, without machines. We will suggest you see a doctor if your symptoms need nerve tests or a medical opinion.

See a registered doctor first if the numbness is constant, if the muscle at the base of the thumb looks flatter, if both hands are affected, or if numbness comes with weakness in the arm or leg, slurred speech or a drooping face. The last three need urgent medical care.

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