Do you experience numb hands? The numbness in your hands may not be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Many people attribute numbness in their hands to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but in many cases it can be caused from issues in the neck, shoulder, elbow, or wrist.
The median nerve is the nerve that is involved in with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But if you look at the picture to right, you will see it comes out near the armpit, crosses at the bend of the elbow and then glides through the Carpal Tunnel of the wrist. When affected numbness and pain is experienced at the palm side of the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Compression, or irritation to the nerve anywhere from the spine can refer pain to this portion of the hand.
The ulnar nerve is the nerve that innervates the ring finger and pinkie finger. Many people experience pain or numbness affecting this nerve when they bump their elbow. Commonly known as the “Funny Bone” nerve. This nerve can be affected by compression or irritation at the neck, armpit, inside of elbow, or pinkie side of wrist.
The radial nerve is the nerve the innervates the back side of the hands thumb, forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger. Many people can experience pain and numbness affected by this nerve when they experience lateral epicondylitis or commonly known as “Tennis Elbow”. But the nerve can also be compressed or irritated anywhere from the spine, armpit, outside of elbow, or thumb side of wrist.
So the next time you experience numbness in your hand, think about where you are experiencing the numbness and what area you might have irritated or compressed to cause your symptoms.