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Carpal tunnel syndrome — numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand — often has a double-crush component in the cervical spine that surgical wrist release alone cannot fix. Chiropractic care addresses both sites of nerve compression.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. The 'double crush' phenomenon — compression of the median nerve at two points along its course — is a significant and often underrecognized contributor to CTS. Cervical nerve root irritation at C5–C6 sensitizes the median nerve proximally, dramatically lowering its threshold for symptomatic compression at the carpal tunnel. Addressing both sites — the cervical spine and the wrist — produces significantly better outcomes than wrist treatment alone.
Dr. Foss evaluates and treats both the cervical spine and the wrist. SOT cervical corrections at C5–C6 decompress the nerve roots contributing to the double crush mechanism. Wrist and carpal bone adjustments restore normal carpal tunnel geometry, reducing pressure on the median nerve. Myofascial release of the forearm flexors and the pronator teres — another entrapment site — is incorporated. Thoracic outlet evaluation rules out brachial plexus compression. Most CTS patients avoid surgery with this comprehensive, multi-level approach.
At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.
For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:
Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.
Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.
Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.
We are insurance friendly. Bring your insurance card and ID to the office to verify how your insurance can contribute to your care. New patient appointments are available promptly.
Comparing options? See how to choose a chiropractor near me in San Antonio or read our guide on how to choose the best chiropractor in San Antonio.
Median nerve compression at the wrist is the immediate cause, but the upstream contributors usually include cervical radiculopathy at C6–C7, scalene tightness, pronator teres entrapment in the forearm, and repetitive wrist flexion patterns. True carpal tunnel without any cervical involvement is less common than commonly assumed — most cases have a double-crush component.
Dr. Foss assesses the entire neural pathway from the cervical spine to the wrist. Cervical adjustment frees upstream nerve compression, soft-tissue work addresses scalene and pronator entrapment, and gentle wrist adjustments restore carpal-bone motion. Class IV laser and SoftWave reduce median nerve inflammation directly at the wrist.
Most carpal tunnel patients see significant improvement within 8–14 visits over 5–8 weeks. Cases involving both cervical and wrist components respond better than treating the wrist alone. Severe cases with thenar atrophy require surgical consultation alongside conservative care.
Conservative chiropractic care resolves the majority of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel cases, particularly those identified early. Cases with significant nerve damage (chronic numbness, thenar muscle wasting, EMG abnormalities) may still require surgical decompression — Dr. Foss coordinates with hand surgeons when surgical evaluation is appropriate.
Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.
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