Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Oakland CA

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain — and one of the most misunderstood. If you’re experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in your hand or fingers, especially with typing, gripping, or sleeping, carpal tunnel syndrome may be the cause.

At Riverstone Chiropractic in Oakland, CA, we help patients understand what’s contributing to carpal tunnel symptoms and create a treatment plan that supports meaningful, lasting relief — not just short-term symptom management.

 Watch the webinar below for a full explanation of what it is and how an Oakland chiropractor treats carpal tunnel syndrome. It also explains why this is commonly mis-diagnosed and what you can do to discover more about your condition.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve becomes irritated or compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel — a narrow passageway in the wrist.

Definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to nerve symptoms in the hand caused by increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is rarely caused by a single issue. Common contributing factors include:

• Repetitive hand or wrist use

• Prolonged computer or device use

• Wrist positioning and ergonomics

• Muscle tension in the forearm or hand

• Neck or shoulder involvement

• Hormonal changes (including pregnancy)

• Previous injuries

Carpal tunnel symptoms can also overlap with pinched nerves in the neck or upper extremity.

Who This Page Is For

This page is for people in Oakland and the East Bay who:

• Have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome

• Experience numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, or middle fingers

• Wake up at night with hand or wrist symptoms

• Have hand weakness or difficulty gripping

• Spend long hours typing or using their hands at work

• Want conservative, non-surgical treatment options

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are truly carpal tunnel or coming from another area, this page will help clarify that.

Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, or part of the ring finger

• Hand or wrist pain, especially at night

• Weak grip strength

• Dropping objects

• Pain that may travel into the forearm or elbow

Symptoms often start gradually and may worsen over time if contributing factors aren’t addressed. Other symptoms include pain or weakness in these same areas, especially when trying to do tasks that rely heavily on fine motor skills such as writing or typing. It can also cause difficulty sleeping because of discomfort at night while laying down with the arm over head; some people may even experience pain radiating up their arm into their shoulder or neck. This condition is really tricky because it’s often mis-diagnosed and people end up having to go down the route of medications and surgery, when in reality most conditions can be managed by non-surgical treatments.

Types of Carpal Tunnel Presentations

Not all carpal tunnel syndrome looks the same.

Mild or Early-Stage Carpal Tunnel

• Intermittent numbness or tingling

• Symptoms during or after repetitive use

• Often responds well to conservative care

Moderate Carpal Tunnel

• More frequent symptoms

• Nighttime waking

• Grip weakness

Complex or Chronic Carpal Tunnel

• Long-standing symptoms

• Muscle weakness or atrophy

• May involve the neck, shoulder, or elbow

Identifying the stage and contributors helps guide treatment decisions.

Conditions That Can Mimic or Contribute to Carpal Tunnel

Hand and wrist symptoms don’t always originate at the wrist. We commonly evaluate for:

• Pinched nerves in the neck

• Shoulder or elbow nerve irritation

• Repetitive strain injuries

• Postural or ergonomic stress

• Muscle tension in the forearm

This broader assessment is one reason some people don’t improve with wrist-only treatments.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Yes. Chiropractic care can help reduce nerve irritation, improve movement, and address contributing factors beyond the wrist itself.

At Riverstone Chiropractic, care is designed to support both the wrist and the larger movement patterns that affect nerve health.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Wrist, Elbow, and Upper Extremity Adjustments

Gentle adjustments help improve joint motion and reduce mechanical stress on the median nerve.

Soft Tissue & Muscle Work

Muscle tension in the forearm, hand, shoulder, and neck often contributes to nerve compression.

Neck and Shoulder Evaluation

Median nerve irritation can originate higher up the chain. Treating only the wrist may miss the real driver.

Movement & Ergonomic Guidance

Small changes in how you work, type, or load your hands can significantly reduce symptoms over time.

How We Diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Riverstone Chiropractic

A thorough evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are coming from the wrist alone or elsewhere.

Your assessment may include:

• Detailed symptom history

• Posture and movement analysis

• Neurological testing

• Orthopedic tests for nerve involvement

If imaging or nerve testing is appropriate, we’ll help guide next steps.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Oakland, CA: Our Approach

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

At Riverstone Chiropractic, care is:

• Root-cause focused

• Conservative and non-invasive

• Trauma-informed and patient-centered

• Designed for both relief and prevention

Many patients come to us after trying braces, rest, or ergonomic changes without lasting improvement.

Treatment for Hand and Wrist Pain and Numbness Types of Therapies May Include:

• Manual therapy to address the adhesion that builds up from repetitive motions
• Chiropractic adjustments to neck, shoulder, back, elbow, wrist, or hand as needed
• Physical therapy exercises to address any strength or stability deficits upstream

Chiropractic Care vs Other Carpal Tunnel Treatments

Chiropractic Care

• Addresses nerve irritation and movement patterns

• Conservative and non-invasive

• Supports long-term improvement

Bracing or Splinting

• Can reduce symptoms temporarily

• Often doesn’t address contributing factors

Medication or Injections

• May reduce inflammation

• Does not correct mechanical causes

Surgery

• Reserved for specific cases

• Not necessary for many people

What to Expect From Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Recovery depends on symptom duration, contributing factors, and daily hand use.

Care generally focuses on:

1. Reducing nerve irritation

2. Improving hand and wrist function

3. Supporting tolerance for daily activity

4. Preventing recurrence

Progress is measured by function — not just symptom suppression.

When to Seek Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You may want to seek care if:

• Symptoms persist or worsen

• Nighttime numbness interrupts sleep

• Grip strength is declining

• Bracing or rest isn’t helping

• You want to avoid injections or surgery

FAQs About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Oakland, CA

Is carpal tunnel permanent?
Not always. Many people improve with conservative, early care.

Do I need surgery for carpal tunnel?
Most cases do not require surgery.

Can carpal tunnel come from the neck?
Yes. Nerve irritation higher up can mimic or contribute to carpal tunnel symptoms.

Is chiropractic care safe for carpal tunnel?
Yes, when provided by a licensed chiropractor and tailored to your condition.

FAQs About Riverstone Chiropractic

Where are you located?
Riverstone Chiropractic is located in Oakland, CA, serving the East Bay.

Do you treat chronic cases?
Yes — including long-standing and complex presentations.

Do I need a referral?
No referral is required.

Do you accept insurance?
We provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement and flexible payment options.

If you are tired of suffering with wrist and hand pain and would like to schedule carpal tunnel syndrome treatment with an Oakland chiropractor, please call (510) 465-2342 or book-in online.