Wrist and hand pain can make simple tasks — typing, cooking, or even holding a coffee cup — frustrating. For many people, the problem traces back to the median nerve being irritated or compressed as it travels through the wrist. Around Olympia, we often see flare-ups tied to long hours on computers, crafting, or outdoor work — small repetitive motions that add up over time.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve — which runs through your wrist — becomes compressed or irritated. This happens in the narrow “tunnel” formed by wrist bones and soft tissues. When pressure builds, you may begin to feel tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your hand and fingers. However, wrist and hand pain can come from higher up in the kinetic chain. It can be coming from the elbow, shoulder or even the neck.
Common Causes & Risk Factors
Many things can contribute to carpal tunnel symptoms. Some of the more frequent causes include:
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Repetitive motion or overuse (typing, assembly work, repeated wrist bending)
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Swelling of tendons or tissues within the wrist
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Poor ergonomics — wrist held in awkward positions during work or hobbies
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Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, thyroid issues)
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Hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, fluid retention)
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Wrist fractures, prior injuries, or anatomical variations
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Compression along the nerve pathway above the wrist (in the neck, elbow, or forearm)
- Neck and/or shoulder injury
- Elbow/ arm injury
Because the median nerve passes through multiple joints, sometimes irritation or compression upstream can worsen wrist symptoms.
How We Evaluate Carpal Tunnel at Northwest Chiropractic
When you come in, we start by hearing your full story — when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life. Then we perform a physical exam focused on nerve and wrist function — posture, range of motion, grip strength, nerve tension tests, and joint mobility.
If needed, we may recommend nerve conduction studies, imaging, or further testing to get a clearer picture. This helps us determine whether your symptoms are coming solely from the wrist or if there are multiple contributing sites.
Our Treatment Approach
Because carpal tunnel varies from person to person, we tailor care to your situation. Some of what we may use includes:
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Gentle joint adjustments and mobilizations to improve alignment and relieve pressure
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Soft tissue work to reduce tension in muscles, tendons, or fascia in the wrist, forearm, or shoulder
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Specific wrist / nerve gliding exercises to promote mobility of the median nerve
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Ergonomic recommendations and activity modifications to reduce repeat stress
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Supportive therapies (e.g. massage, cold laser) to calm inflammation
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If needed, Dr. Jake may evaluate systemic or metabolic factors (e.g., inflammation, fluid retention) and suggest supportive protocols
This combination is meant to reduce symptoms, restore function, and prevent recurrence.
What You Can Expect
Many patients start to feel relief within the first few sessions — especially with early symptoms. More persistent or severe cases often require weeks of consistent care. We monitor your progress, adapt the plan as needed, and guide you toward long-term improvements.
When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
While most carpal tunnel cases respond to conservative care, serious signs should never be ignored. Seek medical attention if you notice:
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Sudden lasting weakness, drop in grip, or muscle wasting
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Loss of sensation in significant parts of the hand
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Persistent symptoms that worsen despite care
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Signs like swelling, redness, or sudden onset after injury
Who You'll Work With
You’ll receive care from Dr. Ed McCullough (focused neck/ shoulder, low back/ sciatic relief) and Dr. Jake McCullough when functional factors (hormones, nutrition) are involved. We often coordinate with our Physical Therapist, Sarah Wilson, PT, and the massage therapist, Josee, LMT, when soft tissue or movement support is needed.