Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Novato
Carpal tunnel treatment in Novato, CA for wrist pain, numbness, and tingling. Dr. DeSalvo checks your wrist and neck and builds a drug-free plan. Book today.
Chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome
Get to the root of your carpal tunnel syndrome
Also known as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTS, Median Nerve Compression
If you're waking up with numb, tingling fingers — or losing grip strength at a keyboard you've used for years — carpal tunnel syndrome may be compressing the median nerve at your wrist. Our carpal tunnel treatment in Novato, CA gives patients throughout Novato and the North Bay a drug-free option: Dr. Douglas DeSalvo treats the nerve at the wrist, addresses any contributing neck tension, and helps you change the ergonomic habits that started the problem.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
- ✓Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- ✓Nighttime hand symptoms that wake you from sleep
- ✓Weakness in grip or dropping things unexpectedly
- ✓Aching or burning in the wrist and palm
- ✓Symptoms that worsen with typing, driving, or holding a phone
- ✓Swelling or puffiness felt in the fingers even when none is visible
Common causes
- Repetitive wrist flexion and extension from keyboard or mouse use
- Sustained grip on vibrating tools or equipment
- Fluid retention from pregnancy, thyroid conditions, or diabetes
- Restricted joints in the wrist, elbow, or cervical spine (double-crush)
- Poor workstation ergonomics and wrist angle during typing
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Swelling from a wrist sprain, fracture, or repetitive overuse
Our approach
How we treat carpal tunnel syndrome in Novato
- Step 1
Thorough exam
We assess wrist mechanics, median nerve tension, and cervical spine involvement to map the full picture — then explain what we found in plain English before we begin any treatment.
- Step 2
A clear, personalized plan
You leave your first visit with a specific, time-bound care plan that targets the wrist, addresses any neck component, and includes ergonomic guidance — no open-ended treatment.
- Step 3
Gentle treatment & rehab
We combine wrist and cervical adjustments, targeted soft-tissue work, and corrective exercise to relieve nerve pressure and build the resilience that keeps symptoms from returning.
The basics
Understanding carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist, formed by bones and a tough ligament called the flexor retinaculum. The median nerve — which gives sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger — passes through this tunnel alongside nine flexor tendons. When repetitive wrist motions, sustained flexion, or swelling narrow the tunnel, the nerve gets compressed and produces the classic symptoms of tingling, numbness, and weakened grip. Repetitive keyboard use, assembly work, and prolonged vibrating tool use are common culprits for Novato-area patients who sit at a desk or work with their hands all day.
What many patients don't know is that the neck can contribute to the problem. A condition called "double-crush" occurs when the median nerve is irritated at two points along its path — the cervical spine and the wrist — making symptoms worse than either site would cause alone. A thorough exam maps both locations so treatment targets the true source. Many people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome respond well to conservative, drug-free care; severe cases with significant muscle wasting may need a surgical consultation, and we will tell you honestly if that's the right path.
One visit. Real answers. A plan made for you.
Reserved for new patients: an unhurried first visit with Dr. DeSalvo himself. Your one-on-one consultation, comprehensive exam, muscle and nerve function assessment and first treatment, plus a care plan designed around you, all for $97.
What your New Patient Special includes
- A one-on-one consultation with Dr. DeSalvo
- A comprehensive exam
- A muscle & nerve function assessment
- Your first treatment
- A customized care plan, built around your goals
New patients only, one per person. X-rays are not included. If you choose to continue care, your care plan and its pricing are discussed with you up front. Not available for automobile-accident or personal-injury cases. Read the full New Patient Special disclaimer.
Types and patterns of carpal tunnel we treat
Carpal tunnel symptoms aren’t identical in every patient. We regularly help Novato-area patients with:
- Classic repetitive-use CTS — driven by long hours at a keyboard or mouse. Wrist and forearm soft-tissue work, ergonomic adjustments, and corrective exercise address both the nerve compression and the habits that caused it.
- Double-crush syndrome — median nerve irritation at both the wrist and the cervical spine, often from a pinched nerve in the neck. Symptoms are often more severe and don’t fully resolve with wrist treatment alone; see our neck pain and arm pain pages for more on how the nerve runs from neck to fingertip.
- Occupational and tool-use CTS — sustained vibration and repetitive grip from trade or manual work. Soft-tissue work such as myofascial release and joint mobilization help restore function, combined with advice on grip mechanics and tool use.
- Nighttime CTS — symptoms that wake you from sleep are often the earliest presentation. A neutral wrist brace paired with daytime treatment often helps calm this pattern.
Your exam tells us which pattern fits your situation, so your plan targets the right level — wrist, elbow, neck, or all three.
When to see a chiropractor in Novato
Carpal tunnel symptoms tend to worsen the longer nerve compression goes untreated. Book an exam if you notice:
- Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, or middle fingers that doesn’t go away
- Waking up at night with hand numbness or the urge to shake your hand out
- Grip weakness or dropping objects that you should be able to hold
- Symptoms spreading up your forearm or arm
- Wrist or hand symptoms that started alongside new neck pain or shoulder tightness
If you experience sudden, severe weakness in the hand, significant thumb muscle wasting, or symptoms after a wrist fracture or dislocation, seek prompt evaluation — these may require imaging or specialist referral beyond conservative chiropractic care.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is roughly 45–60 minutes and focused on understanding what’s compressing the median nerve before we treat it.
- Listen to your story — when symptoms started, which fingers are affected, what you do for work, and how symptoms change throughout the day.
- Examine thoroughly — orthopedic nerve tension tests (Phalen’s, Tinel’s), cervical screening, and grip strength assessment to find the true source.
- Explain what we found — in plain English, with a specific, time-bound care plan and realistic expectations for how long recovery takes.
- Start care when appropriate — most patients receive their first gentle wrist or cervical adjustment the same day and leave with ergonomic guidance to use immediately.
You’re never locked into open-ended treatment — just a clear plan with a real finish line.
Drug-free carpal tunnel relief — without medication or surgery
Wrist splints and anti-inflammatory drugs can take the edge off carpal tunnel symptoms temporarily, but they don’t correct the joint mechanics, muscle tension, or postural habits compressing the nerve. Surgery cuts the flexor retinaculum to widen the tunnel — a procedure that works for severe cases but comes with recovery time, scar tissue risk, and the possibility of incomplete relief if the cervical spine was also involved. Chiropractic care offers a conservative first step for mild to moderate CTS — relieving nerve pressure, restoring wrist and neck mechanics, and coaching ergonomic habits that help keep the problem from returning. If your exam ever suggests surgery is the right next step, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that referral.
Why Novato-area patients choose DeSalvo Chiropractic
Patients from Novato, Marin County, and the North Bay choose DeSalvo Chiropractic because Dr. DeSalvo looks at the full picture — wrist, forearm, elbow, and cervical spine — rather than treating the hand in isolation. That matters especially with carpal tunnel, where a missed neck component can leave symptoms only partly relieved.
We combine gentle chiropractic adjustments, hands-on myofascial release, and corrective exercise into one coordinated, time-bound plan — so you get relief at the keyboard now and the resilience to stay comfortable long term.
Ready to get started? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical carpal tunnel routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Relieves nerve compression at source | ✕Masks symptoms or cuts the ligament |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (meds, surgery, scar tissue) |
| Personalized to you | ✓Wrist + neck + ergonomics | ✕One-size-fits-all protocol |
| Treats contributing factors | ✓Neck, posture, and workstation | ✕Seldom addressed |
| Typical recovery | ✓Active & gradual | ✕Often lengthy with downtime |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Novato, CA that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Arthrostim Adjusting
Gentle Arthrostim adjusting in Novato, CA — rapid, low-force instrument impulses help restore joint motion without twisting or cracking. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Myofascial Release
Myofascial release in Novato, CA — slow, sustained hands-on pressure that frees tight fascia to ease neck, back, shoulder, and arm pain. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in Novato, CA — corrective exercise, manual therapy, and rehab that rebuild strength and help keep back, neck, and shoulder pain from returning.
Learn more →Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy in Novato, CA — gentle Hakomed medium-frequency current helps ease muscle spasm, nerve pain, and neuropathy symptoms, drug-free. Book a visit.
Learn more →Laser Therapy
Laser therapy in Novato, CA — Class IV and low-level laser that helps calm inflammation and ease soft-tissue and joint pain, with no downtime. Book a visit.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Novato
Patient reviews
What our Novato patients say
“I had a great experience at DeSalvo Chiropractic! Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and professional, and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure I understood what they were doing throughout my visit.”
“Great chiropractic service! The staff was friendly and professional, and I felt comfortable throughout my visit. The treatment was helpful, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quality chiropractic care.”
“I am an avid tennis player with the usual tennis injuries and Dr. Desalvo has helped me play again without pain!”
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel is caused by compression of the median nerve inside the narrow tunnel at the wrist. The most common triggers are repetitive wrist motions (typing, assembly work, tool use), prolonged wrist flexion, fluid retention from pregnancy or systemic conditions, and poor workstation ergonomics. In some patients a cervical spine issue contributes to the nerve sensitivity — a situation called double-crush.
Can a chiropractor help carpal tunnel syndrome?
Yes, for mild to moderate cases. Chiropractic adjustments to the wrist, forearm, and cervical spine can relieve nerve compression, reduce inflammation, and restore proper joint mechanics. Combined with soft-tissue work and ergonomic changes, many patients see meaningful improvement without medication or surgery. Severe cases with significant muscle wasting may require a surgical evaluation, and we'll tell you honestly if that's you.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on how long you've had symptoms and whether the neck is involved. After your exam, Dr. DeSalvo gives you a specific, time-bound care plan with a realistic endpoint — not endless visits. Many patients notice improvement within the first few weeks of care.
What are the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome?
The earliest signs are usually nighttime numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers that wakes you from sleep, and aching after a long session at the keyboard. If you're shaking your hand to relieve symptoms, that's a classic early warning sign worth getting evaluated.
Is my neck causing my hand tingling?
It might be contributing. Nerve irritation at the cervical spine can mimic or worsen wrist symptoms through a double-crush mechanism. Our exam checks both sites, which is important because treating only the wrist often produces incomplete relief when the neck is involved.
Will my insurance cover carpal tunnel chiropractic treatment?
We accept many major insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay options. Share your insurance details and we'll verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Do I need a referral or a nerve conduction study before I come in?
No referral is needed to see a chiropractor in California. A nerve conduction study (NCS/EMG) is not required before a chiropractic exam — we perform orthopedic screening tests in-office. If advanced testing would change your care, we'll refer you for it.
Is chiropractic care for carpal tunnel safe?
Yes. We screen every patient thoroughly on the first visit and only begin care once we confirm it's appropriate. Wrist and cervical adjustments are gentle and well-tolerated; we adjust technique to your comfort at every visit.
How can I relieve carpal tunnel symptoms at home?
Wearing a neutral-position wrist brace at night, taking regular breaks from repetitive hand work, keeping your wrists straight while typing, and gentle wrist and nerve-glide stretches can reduce symptoms. These help short term, but if symptoms persist or worsen, an exam can find and address the underlying cause.
How do you treat carpal tunnel without surgery?
Conservative care includes chiropractic adjustments to restore joint mechanics at the wrist and cervical spine, myofascial release and soft-tissue work to reduce muscle tension and scar tissue around the tunnel, corrective exercise to strengthen supporting structures, and ergonomic coaching to eliminate the habits causing the compression in the first place.
When should carpal tunnel be referred for surgery?
Surgery is worth considering when symptoms are severe, long-standing, and haven't responded to conservative care — or when nerve conduction testing shows significant median nerve damage and muscle wasting in the thumb. We will tell you honestly when we think a surgical consultation makes sense.