Case Study: Pinch Grip
• by Dr. Jamie Gorlick
How Chiropractic Care Helped a Patient Overcome Thumb Weakness and Improve Hand Function
A Real-Life Success Story
At our chiropractic clinic, we see a wide range of conditions, but sometimes we get cases that really stand out. One of these was a 40-year-old man who works as a safety officer at a construction company. He came to us with an unusual problem: he was experiencing weakness in his thumb and had difficulty writing, but he wasn’t in any pain. This was puzzling, since most people with hand weakness also have pain. Let’s dive into his story and how we helped him regain full function without relying on medications or surgery.
The Problem
Our patient’s main complaint was weakness in his “pincer grip,” the action of pinching his thumb and index finger together (something we all use multiple times a day without thinking about it). He also struggled with writing because of the weakness in his hand. But here’s the interesting part: he wasn’t experiencing any pain in his neck, shoulder, or hand. This was unusual for someone who was having trouble with their hand strength.
He’d already had an X-ray of his neck, which showed degenerative changes (which just means wear and tear on the spine) at the level of his cervical spine (the neck). Specifically, there was narrowing of the space where nerves exit the spine at one level (C4-C5), which can sometimes lead to nerve irritation. But even though his X-ray showed some changes, there was no clear indication of a serious problem.
The Chiropractic Exam
When we examined him, we found some key things that pointed us toward a possible nerve issue:
He had weakness in his thumb adduction (the movement of the thumb), which is controlled by the ulnar nerve.
He also had a positive Froment’s sign, which is a test where you ask someone to hold a piece of paper between their thumb and index finger—if the thumb bends or weakens, it indicates an issue with the ulnar nerve.
His hand X-ray was completely normal, with no fractures, erosion, or abnormalities, so it wasn’t a local hand problem causing his weakness.
After putting all these pieces together, we suspected that cervical radiculopathy (nerve irritation in the neck) was the likely cause of his symptoms. Essentially, we believed that the nerve irritation from the degenerative changes in his neck was affecting the ulnar nerve, which controls certain movements of the hand.
The Treatment Plan
Instead of jumping straight to medications or surgery, we developed a conservative chiropractic treatment plan tailored to his specific needs. Here’s what we did:
Electroacupuncture
We used tiny electrical pulses to stimulate the nerves along the ulnar nerve route (the nerve traveling down the arm and into the hand). This helped reduce nerve tension and promote healing.
Cervical Mobilization & Manual Traction
We gently mobilized the neck and performed manual traction to open up the spaces between the vertebrae. This can relieve pressure on the nerves, especially in cases where narrowing is present, like in this case.
Soft Tissue Therapy
We massaged and worked on the muscles around the neck to release tension that might be contributing to nerve irritation.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
This was applied to the cervical nerve roots. It uses light to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process in damaged tissues.
At-Home Care
We gave him simple exercises to do at home, including cervical traction (to stretch the neck gently) and specific exercises to strengthen his neck and pincer grip.
The Results
After just four sessions, the patient reported a 100% improvement in his symptoms! His hand strength returned to normal, and he was able to write and perform his daily tasks without any difficulty. He was thrilled to be able to get back to full function without the need for drugs or surgery.
What This Means for You
This case is a great reminder that chiropractic care can help with much more than just back pain. In fact, many nerve-related issues that cause symptoms like weakness, numbness, or tingling (without pain) can be successfully treated through chiropractic adjustments, electroacupuncture, and other non-invasive therapies.
If you’re dealing with unexplained weakness in your hands, fingers, or other parts of your body—and especially if it’s affecting your ability to perform everyday tasks—it could be related to a nerve issue in the neck or spine. Chiropractic care can help identify and treat the underlying cause, often with fast and effective results.
Get Back to Doing What You Love
At our clinic, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health without relying on invasive procedures. If you’re experiencing similar symptoms or just want to get more out of your body, we’d love to help you.