Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A photo of a woman in front of a computer holding her wrist in pain, which is something that an Ann Arbor chiropractor can help with.
How do you know if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist. This nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, and controls some thumb movements. Narrowing of the tunnel from swollen tissues, repetitive stress, or structural misalignment, can pinch the nerve.

Here are some common symptoms you may be experiencing if you have CTS:

  1. Numbness, tingling, or burning in the thumb, index, middle, and inside of the ring finger.
  2. Nighttime discomfort is typical, as sleeping with bent wrists aggravates pressure.
  3. Weakness or clumsiness, including dropping items or difficulty gripping.
  4. Muscle atrophy at the base of the thumb (also called the “thenar eminence”) can happen in long-standing cases.


Live Near Ann Arbor? We’re Your Friendly Neighborhood Chiropractor!


If you’re struggling with wrist pain, tingling, or numbness, visiting Dr. Gessert could be a valuable next step—especially to see if your spine is contributing to the condition in question.

To get started with an Ann Arbor Chiropractor, schedule a no-commitment consultation by calling 734-221-0362 or submitting a contact form here.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

An image of a man holding a phone in one hand and supporting his wrist with the other. There is an overlay of a pulsing red skeleton hand over his own, indicating wrist pain. It has the caption, "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist." This is something a chiropractor can help with.
What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist. Here are a few common causes of this nerve compression:

Repetitive Hand Use & Ergonomics
Repeating wrist motions—gripping tools, typing, working on assembly lines, etc.—causes strain, especially with vibration or forced wrist positions. OSHA and NIOSH note these as significant risk factors.

Medical & Physiological Factors
Conditions like obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, fluid retention (e.g. pregnancy), and genetic predispositions all increase CTS risk.

Trauma & Anatomical Changes
Wrist injuries (such as fractures), ganglion cysts, or joint inflammation can constrict the carpal tunnel. 


Live Near Ann Arbor? We’re Your Friendly Neighborhood Chiropractor!


If you’re struggling with wrist pain, tingling, or numbness, visiting Dr. Gessert could be a valuable next step—especially to see if your spine is contributing to the condition in question.

To get started with an Ann Arbor Chiropractor, schedule a no-commitment consultation by calling 734-221-0362 or submitting a contact form here.