Marcy Gerads, D.C.

Wrist splints are often a beneficial form of CTS self-care, as they can assist in relieving the pressure within the carpal tunnel by restricting wrist flexion and extension. Because we cannot control the position of our wrist during sleep and the pressure on the nerve worsens the more it bends forwards or backwards, splints are [..]

There are nine tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel at the wrist that connect the forearm muscles to the palm-side of the fingers. These tendons are encased in sheaths, and friction and heat can build-up inside these sheaths, leading to swelling, pressure, and pain (especially during fast, repetitive tasks). As the swelling increases and [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs as the result of the median nerve being trapped or squeezed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, which is located in the wrist. Nine flexor tendons with their covering or sheathes, blood vessels, and connective tissue also pass through the carpal tunnel, creating a tight passageway between the forearm [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) belongs to a group of disorders called “entrapment neuropathies” and as the name implies, it is caused by the trapping of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. There are MANY ways to treat CTS, with some of the most effective focused on reducing inflammation. Inflammation (from the [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a very common condition. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CTS ranks SECOND among the major disabling diseases and illnesses in ALL private industries. The BLS states that workers with CTS may eventually have to give up their livelihood. They cite one study in which [..]

Here it is: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a nutshell! WHAT: CTS is caused by an injury to the median nerve (MN) as it travels through the wrist. WHERE: The eight small carpal bones and a ligament form a tunnel in which tendons and nerves pass through to reach the hand. HOW: The MN gets [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused when pressure is applied to the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. When playing a musical instrument, especially for hours at a time for several days in a row, the fast repetitive movements of the fingers can cause the tendons—all nine of them—that travel through [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be an extremely painful and activity-limiting condition. It affects many people of all ages and genders, though women are affected more often than men. But how do you know if what you are suffering from is truly CTS or if it's another condition that's producing the symptoms in your hand [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) often responds well to non-surgical care and there is good evidence supporting chiropractic treatment for CTS. But the question frequently arises, “When should I consider surgery for my CTS?” Let’s take a look… CTS is basically the pinching of the median nerve as it travels through a tight tunnel at the [..]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has a bad reputation for coming and going, sometimes for years, depending on many factors such as 1) age; 2) profession (fast, repetitive, with forceful gripping); 3) general health (diabetes, hypothyroid, and inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid), pregnancy, on birth control pills, or taking hormone replacement therapy); 4) hobbies (worse if it’s [..]