Wrist Pain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever felt tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hand or fingers—especially in your thumb, index, or middle fingers—you may be experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This common condition occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into your hand, gets compressed as it passes through a narrow tunnel in your wrist called the carpal tunnel.

For many, carpal tunnel is more than just a wrist problem—it’s a sign of poor posture, repetitive strain, or even nerve interference stemming from the neck or shoulder. That’s where a chiropractic and holistic approach really shines.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

CTS can be caused by repetitive motions (like typing, texting, or assembly line work), wrist injuries, or even other conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism. From a structural perspective, compression can also originate higher up in the kinetic chain, especially from misalignments in the neck, shoulder, or elbow, which place added stress on the wrist.

How Atlas Can Help

At Atlas, we take a whole-body approach to diagnosing and treating CTS. Instead of only focusing on the wrist, we look at the entire pathway of the median nerve—from the neck, through the shoulder and elbow, down to the wrist and hand.

At Atlas Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we often:

Adjust the wrist, elbow, and cervical spine to restore proper joint alignment and reduce pressure on the nerve.

Use gentle mobilizations and soft tissue techniques like myofascial release and massage therapy to improve range of motion and reduce muscle tension.

Apply cold laser therapy to decrease inflammation and promote healing at a cellular level.

These techniques can often provide relief without drugs, injections, or surgery.

Corrective Exercises You Can Do at Home

Rehabilitation is key in preventing recurrence. Here are a few exercises we commonly prescribe:

Wrist Flexor Stretch: Extend your arm, palm up, and gently pull your fingers back with your other hand. Hold for 15–30 seconds, repeat 2–3 times.

Median Nerve Glides: This helps free up the nerve in its pathway. Start with your arm at your side, palm up, then slowly straighten your elbow and bring your palm toward your face, as if you’re holding a tray. Repeat 5–10 times.

Postural Correction: Strengthen your mid-back and stretch your chest to combat slouching. Exercises like wall angels and chin tucks help realign the spine and take tension off the nerve.

Holistic Support: Diet and Supplements

Inflammation plays a huge role in nerve compression. We often recommend:

B6 and B12 vitamins: These support nerve health and repair.

Magnesium: Helps with muscle relaxation and nerve signaling.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce inflammation systemically.

Anti-inflammatory diet: Cut out processed foods and increase leafy greens, berries, and turmeric.

When to Get Help

If symptoms persist longer than a few weeks, or if they begin to affect your grip strength, it’s time to consult a professional. Early intervention makes a big difference in avoiding permanent nerve damage. The sooner, the better!

At Atlas Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Costa Mesa, we specialize in non-invasive, drug-free solutions for conditions like carpal tunnel. We’ll customize a plan that combines hands-on care, rehab exercises, and lifestyle guidance so you can heal naturally and get back to doing what you love. Have questions or need help with wrist pain? Call us at 714 540 6792 to schedule a FREE consultation—we’re here to help your body heal from the inside out!