Work Activities Linked to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

6 Nov

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed or entrapped as it passes through the wrist. This often leads to numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, along with muscle weakness that makes pinching and gripping difficult. Certain types of jobs carry a higher risk of developing CTS, including agriculture, trucking, factory work, construction, food service, and office work. But it is not the occupation itself that causes the problem so much as the specific tasks involved.

Repetitive hand movements are one of the most common contributors. The tendons that allow the fingers to flex and extend travel through the narrow carpal tunnel, each wrapped in a lubricating sheath to help them glide smoothly. When these tendons are worked too often without rest, friction builds, the sheaths swell, and pressure inside the tunnel rises, affecting the function of the median nerve. Over time, microtraumas accumulate and inflammation becomes more frequent, producing even more severe symptoms. Forceful gripping adds another layer of stress, since tightening down on a tool or object makes the tendons thicken and further crowd the tunnel, creating more opportunities for irritation.

Vibration is another key factor. The use of jackhammers, chainsaws, grinders, or other vibrating tools not only increases tendon friction but also places mechanical stress directly on the median nerve. Vibration reduces blood flow by constricting small vessels, further depriving the tissues of oxygen and nutrients. Likewise, working in non-neutral wrist positions—whether bending the wrist up, down, or to the side—changes the shape of the carpal tunnel and raises internal pressure. Cold temperatures, while not a direct cause, intensify the problem by stiffening tissues and restricting blood flow, making symptoms more severe.

In real-world work, most tasks involve a combination of these stressors. A meatpacker gripping an electric knife in a cold warehouse, a carpenter operating a vibrating power tool, or an office worker typing for hours with poor ergonomics all face multiple overlapping risks. Because people are motivated to keep working, CTS symptoms are often ignored or self-managed until they become too limiting to continue daily tasks. The good news is that the sooner care is sought, the better the chance of recovery. Chiropractic care can be an effective option, helping patients restore comfortable movement and strength so they can return to normal activities without lingering pain or limitation.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Treatment for Vertebral Compression Fracture

3 Nov

While there are many potential causes of low back pain in older adults, one of the most common—especially among women—is vertebral compression fracture (VCF). By age 80, up to 30% of women and 20% of men will have sustained at least one VCF. Interestingly, only about one-third of cases produce acute, noticeable pain. The remainder are either asymptomatic or go undiagnosed due to lack of imaging or because other pain-generating conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis may mask the fracture. The type of treatment to address the injury depends largely on whether the fracture is stable or unstable.

A vertebral compression fracture occurs when the bony structure of the vertebra collapses, often due to osteoporosis and weakened bone health. If the fracture extends beyond the anterior portion of the vertebra, radically alters spinal alignment, or places pressure on neural structures, it is considered unstable. These cases usually require surgical intervention, such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (injecting a cement-like material into the vertebra) or spinal fusion to stabilize the spine. Fortunately, only 10–15% of vertebral compression fractures are unstable.

Most VCFs are stable and can be managed conservatively, which may include chiropractic care. Treatment guidelines recommend activity modification during the early healing phase—avoiding heavy lifting, twisting, or prolonged sitting or standing. However, patients are encouraged to remain active within pain tolerance, as inactivity can lead to deconditioning and slower recovery. Bracing may be considered on a case-by-case basis, though evidence for its effectiveness is mixed. Spinal manipulation is generally contraindicated, but chiropractors can employ low-force manual therapies, modalities for pain and muscle spasm (such as ultrasound, TENS, or cold laser), and prescribe posture and core stabilization exercises. Co-management with a medical physician may include short-term medications to control acute pain.

Ultimately, the most effective treatment is prevention. Osteoporosis—the most common underlying cause of VCFs—is often silent until a fracture occurs. Guidelines recommend that all women over age 65 undergo a bone density (DEXA) scan, with earlier screening for those with family history or risk factors. While there is no consensus for men, approximately 1 in 6 will develop osteoporosis in old age. Just as important is adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-dense diet, weight-bearing exercise, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels, not smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Limiting Bisphenol A Exposure

23 Oct

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic industrial chemical used in producing plastics and resins to make them strong, durable, heat-resistant, transparent, and lightweight. As such, BPA is found in many everyday products including reusable plastic tableware, water bottles, sports equipment, physical discs (like DVDs), soda cans, water pipes, flooring, adhesives, and thermal paper receipts. While we rarely think twice about interacting with these items, health experts caution that BPA exposure may carry risks.

On a molecular level, BPA closely resembles the hormone estrogen. Inside the body, it can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere with normal hormonal signaling, potentially disrupting developmental and reproductive processes. Research links BPA exposure to reduced fertility, elevated risks of breast and prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, early puberty, immune system changes, and certain neurological effects.

How does BPA enter the body? Pathways include ingestion from food and drinks stored in containers lined with BPA or heated in plastic, inhalation of microplastic particles containing BPA, and skin absorption from handling thermal paper receipts.

Due to growing awareness and regulatory pressure, many manufacturers now market “BPA-free” products. However, these are often made with Bisphenol S (BPS), a chemical less studied but showing similar hormonal activity and potential health risks. Instead, it may be prudent to choose non-plastic alternatives—such as glass or stainless steel containers—which are more reliably free of hormone-disrupting bisphenols.

To reduce exposure, experts recommend limiting canned food and drink consumption, using glass or stainless steel containers, avoiding microwaving plastic, opting for electronic receipts or declining paper ones, not applying hand sanitizer immediately after handling receipts, wearing nitrile gloves if receipts are handled regularly for work, washing hands often (especially before eating), and cleaning floors and dusting regularly to minimize bisphenol residues in indoor dust.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Whiplash and Temporomandibular Disorders

16 Oct

The sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck during a rear-end collision can stretch the soft tissues surrounding the cervical spine beyond their normal range of motion. This can result in strains, sprains, and tears that trigger the cluster of symptoms collectively known as whiplash-associated disorders. While neck pain is widely recognized, one consequence that often occurs but is less commonly considered is temporomandibular disorders (TMD), or jaw pain and associated disability.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the socket in the temporal bone of the skull and the condyle of the mandible (jawbone). It is a synovial, condylar, hinge-type joint, with an articular disk that divides the joint into superior and inferior cavities, each lined with its own synovial membrane. A capsule surrounds the joint and attaches to the articular eminence, the articular disk, and the neck of the mandibular condyle. This unique structure allows the jaw to open and close, move side to side, and shift forward and backward, enabling essential functions such as breathing, eating, and speaking.

The rapid forces generated in a whiplash event can directly injure the TMJ as the jaw lags slightly behind the skull, subjecting the joint to excessive forces. Because several muscles and connective tissues link the head, neck, and jaw, injury to these structures can also impair jaw function, leading to both pain and disability. Just as cervicogenic headaches occur when dysfunction in the neck refers pain into the head, similar mechanisms can refer pain to the jaw, creating TMD-like symptoms.

In May 2025, researchers reviewed records from five hospitals covering 2019 to 2023 and found that post-traffic collision jaw muscle tenderness upon palpation ranged from 25% in children and adolescents to 32.56% in older adults. Overall, approximately one in seven patients reported difficulty opening their mouth.

Fortunately, studies have shown that manual therapies combined with therapeutic exercises for both the jaw and neck can effectively manage TMD, whether associated with whiplash or not. A March 2023 case report illustrated this approach in a 39-year-old woman with a six-month history of unexplained jaw pain, disability, co-occurring neck pain, and headaches. She consulted a chiropractor after limited success with conventional treatment. Examination revealed reduced cervical range of motion and tightness in multiple neck muscles. Following a multimodal treatment approach aimed at restoring normal motion to both the cervical spine and TMJ, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Multimodal Treatment for Chronic Neck Pain

13 Oct

Chronic neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, with up to half of adults experiencing it in a given year, and it accounts for as much as 4% of all visits to healthcare providers. The most common classification is non-specific neck pain, meaning the condition arises from musculoskeletal strain or dysfunction in the neck region without a clearly identifiable medical pathology such as fracture, infection, tumor, or inflammatory disease. Because the exact pain generator is often difficult to determine, treatment focuses instead on restoring normal motion to the cervical spine using a multimodal approach.

The mainstay of chiropractic treatment for neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders is manual therapy, delivered either hands-on or with the assistance of instruments. The most common technique is spinal manipulation, also called spinal manipulative therapy, which involves high-velocity, low-amplitude movements applied at the end of a joint’s range of motion to restore mobility, reduce pain through neuromechanical effects, and normalize function of the spine and surrounding tissues. Other forms of manual therapies may also be used, such as mobilization (slower, gentler movements within the range of motion), myofascial therapy (sustained pressure or stretching to release restrictions in connective tissue), and trigger point therapy (direct, focused pressure to relieve taut muscle bands). All share the goal of restoring normal movement and reducing pain.

Exercise is another key component of managing neck pain, both to relieve current symptoms and to reduce the risk of recurrence. Neck pain often relates to poor posture that places excess strain on some muscles while deconditioning others. For instance, forward head posture shifts the head in front of the shoulders, forcing posterior neck muscles to overwork while anterior neck muscles weaken. To address these imbalances and other deficits, patients may be prescribed range-of-motion drills, stretching, strengthening, postural retraining, and proprioceptive exercises.

Additional treatment strategies may be incorporated depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, the provider’s clinical training, and examination findings. These may include ergonomic advice, physiotherapy modalities, ice/heat, dietary modifications, and nutritional supplementation. Multimodal approaches are well supported in the literature, consistently providing better outcomes than any single therapy alone. When needed, chiropractors may co-manage care with other healthcare providers, always with the goal of reducing pain, improving function, and helping patients return to normal activities as quickly as possible.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

The Most Common Cause of Hip Pain in Active Adults

9 Oct

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a painful hip condition that occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head/neck junction and the rim of the acetabulum (hip socket) during certain movements, especially hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction (inward motion). While hip problems are often associated with older adults, the vast majority of FAI cases occur in active young and middle-aged individuals.

Essentially, the condition results from bone shapes that disrupt the normal smooth motion of the hip joint. The most common type is called cam morphology, in which the femoral head/neck junction is not perfectly round, creating a bony prominence that interferes with joint motion. Cam morphology accounts for roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of symptomatic FAI cases and is most common in active young men. Another type, pincer morphology, occurs when there is excess coverage of the socket’s rim and is seen more often in active middle-aged women. These morphologies usually develop during puberty, and while they are often symptom-free, they can lead to impingement when the hip is subjected to repetitive, high-force movements such as running, jumping, or kicking—which is why active individuals are more prone to the condition.

Surgical intervention may be considered as an early option, particularly in young athletes with severe, function-limiting symptoms and clear imaging evidence of impingement. However, randomized controlled trials show that while surgery can offer faster symptom relief in the short- to mid-term, the long-term differences compared to structured non-surgical care are small, and surgery carries greater cost and risk. For this reason, clinical guidelines recommend conservative care as the first-line approach, with surgery reserved for cases that do not improve.

Conservative chiropractic management of FAI may include activity modification, anti-inflammatory measures (such as ice, dietary adjustments, or supplements), and rehabilitative strategies like stretching tight hip flexors, strengthening the core and hip extensors, and improving postural control. Chiropractors may also employ modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, laser therapy, or pulsed magnetic field therapy, along with manual techniques to restore motion in the hip. A comprehensive evaluation also considers the kinetic chain—since altered mechanics in the feet, ankles, knees, or lower back can increase stress on the hip and worsen FAI.

As with most musculoskeletal conditions, early intervention improves outcomes. Addressing FAI promptly not only reduces the risk of joint degeneration but also prevents compensatory movement patterns that can strain other areas of the body and contribute to additional painful conditions.

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Drive Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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