Why is my hand hurting? Is it Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Hand pain can have many causes

Are you struggling with hand pain, tingling, or numbness? These symptoms can make everyday tasks (typing, cooking, exercising, or even holding a coffee cup) frustrating and uncomfortable. Many people assume the problem is in the hand itself, but the truth is that the root cause often starts elsewhere in the body.

As a chiropractor in Alameda who treats hand pain and nerve issues, I see three common culprits behind these symptoms:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist. It’s one of the leading causes of hand numbness and tingling, especially in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Repetitive activities like typing, using a mouse, or gripping tools can make symptoms worse. This is the most common diagnosis for hand pain, BUT other causes can have similar symptoms to capral tunnel syndrome.

Signs to look for: Numbness at night, weakness when gripping objects, or tingling that increases with repetitive hand use.

Disc herniations can cause pain in the hand

2. Nerve Irritation in the Neck

Not all hand pain starts in the wrist. The nerves that control your hands begin in the cervical spine. If a disc is irritated or a joint isn’t moving properly in the neck, it can put pressure on those nerves and cause pain, tingling, or weakness all the way into the hands. An interesting fact is that you don't have to have pain in the neck for the neck to be the source of the problem.

Signs to look for: Hand symptoms combined with neck stiffness, shoulder pain, or flexed/forward head posture (often times this happens while on a computer or using a tablet or phone)..

This is why chiropractic care for hand numbness is often so effective. By addressing spinal sources of nerve irritation, we relieve pressure at the source.

Pronator Teres Syndrome can mimic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

3. Muscle or Fascia Tightness in the Arm

Muscles in your forearm, elbow, shoulder, and chest can also put pressure on nerves as they travel down the arm. For example, tight forearm flexor muscles may mimic carpal tunnel pain, while tightness in the chest or shoulder can irritate nerves before they even reach the hand.

Signs to look for: Tingling or weakness that changes with posture, stretching, or activity. Symptoms may improve when you shake your hands out or stretch.

How Alameda Chiropractic & Ergonomics Can Help

The key to solving hand pain, tingling, or numbness is finding the real cause,

whether it’s the wrist, neck, or muscle tension in the arm. At our Alameda chiropractic office, we perform a thorough exam to pinpoint the source of your symptoms.

We then create a personalized treatment plan that may include:

• McKenzie Technique to identify and relieve spinal causes

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore motion and relieve nerve pressure

• Rehabilitation exercises to improve strength and stability

• Muscle and fascia therapy to release tension in the arms, shoulders, and neck

Don’t Ignore Hand Pain

If hand pain or numbness is affecting your work, workouts, or daily life, early treatment makes all the difference. Our goal is to help you get lasting relief so you can get back to doing the things you love without discomfort.

👉 Looking for a chiropractor in Alameda for carpal tunnel, hand numbness, or tingling? Schedule your appointment today and let’s find the root cause of your pain.

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