By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 3 to 6 percent of the general adult population and accounting for approximately 500,000 surgical procedures annually. For workers in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, and across Broward County’s construction, healthcare, hospitality, and service sectors, where hand function is essential to daily work, conservative, non-surgical care options are part of the broader range of treatments commonly discussed alongside surgical evaluation.
Clinical guidelines generally describe carpal tunnel surgery as more strongly indicated in severe, long-standing cases. For mild to moderate presentations, conservative care is commonly recommended as a first-line approach, and a range of non-surgical modalities, including laser therapy, has been studied in this group. Discussing the full range of available options with a qualified clinician is a standard part of treatment planning.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I evaluate and treat carpal tunnel syndrome with attention to a clinical dimension that wrist-focused evaluations sometimes do not fully address: the contribution of the cervical spine.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and What Is Causing the Symptoms?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. Through this tunnel pass the median nerve and nine flexor tendons. When the tunnel becomes narrowed, from tendon inflammation, fluid retention, repetitive stress, or structural factors, the median nerve is compressed. This compression produces the characteristic numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger; nocturnal symptoms; weakness of pinch and grip; and, in advanced cases, visible atrophy of the thenar musculature.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that carpal tunnel syndrome is among the occupational injuries associated with the highest number of days away from work. For Broward County’s workforce, this can have significant implications for daily livelihood.
What Does the Research Say About Non-Surgical Carpal Tunnel Treatment?
The clinical research literature on carpal tunnel syndrome describes a range of treatment options, including splinting, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and surgical release. Major systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines have generally supported conservative care as an appropriate first-line option for mild and short-duration cases, with surgical release more strongly indicated in moderate-to-severe presentations. The research base also includes studies on adjunctive modalities such as low-level laser therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
How Is the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Used for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Hollywood Laser Pain Center?
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses near-infrared laser energy directed at the carpal tunnel region as part of a non-surgical care plan. Photobiomodulation has been studied for its cellular-level effects on tissue and nerve, with research examining its relationship to local inflammation and peripheral nerve function.
Research published over the past two decades, including a 2016 meta-analysis in the journal Medicine that pooled multiple randomized trials, has examined low-level laser therapy for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Reported outcomes have included measures such as median nerve conduction parameters and symptom scores, with results generally favorable in mild-to-moderate cases. Each treatment plan is developed on an individual basis following a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
What Is Double Crush Syndrome and Why Does It Matter?
A subset of carpal tunnel patients have median nerve compression at more than one point along the nerve’s pathway. The median nerve originates from cervical nerve roots at C6 and C7. Compression at the cervical spine combined with compression at the wrist is known clinically as double crush syndrome, and wrist-focused treatment alone may not fully address it.
My evaluation of carpal tunnel patients at Hollywood Laser Pain Center includes cervical spine and thoracic outlet assessment. Identifying proximal contributions to median nerve symptoms is one consideration discussed in the literature when symptoms persist after wrist-focused treatment. My 27-plus years at Broward Medical and Rehab, a multidisciplinary practice, reflect this comprehensive clinical approach.
What Does Graston Technique Add for Carpal Tunnel Patients?
The flexor retinaculum and flexor tendons that share the carpal tunnel with the median nerve are common sites of accumulated scar tissue and fascial restriction in patients with chronic repetitive strain. Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization method. Applied to the wrist flexor musculature, carpal tunnel region, and forearm, it is designed to address fascial restrictions and influence soft tissue mechanics. It is often used in combination with other modalities, including laser therapy, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
