What actually happens during my first visit?

Your initial consultation starts with detailed history-taking, followed by a thorough physical, neurological and orthopedic examination, your modesty is preserved throughout, and gowns are provided where necessary. If you have prior scans, X-rays, or specialist letters, bring them along; if further imaging is ever warranted, we can refer you locally. By the end of your visit, you'll leave with a clear explanation of what's going on and a considered plan forward. Treatment is usually provided on the initial consultation given the case is deemed within our scope of care.

How many sessions will I need before I notice a difference?

Every case is different, but as a general guide, most patients suffering from nerve pain notice a change in their symptoms within 6-10 visits. Once the nerve has been decompressed and the inflammation around the neural tissue is reduced, the body's own healing processes can start to work much more rapidly, which is often where patients notice the biggest shift. Longer-standing or chronic presentations understandably take more time, why nerve recovery takes time explains the biology behind this., as nerve damage typically can last for several months to, in some cases, years. We'll give you a specific timeframe once your assessment is complete.

How does chiropractic care help with nerve pain?

Nerve pain often stems from compression or irritation somewhere along the nerve's pathway, whether the irritation is to a joint, pressure, from a disc or tightened surrounding muscles. By identifying exactly where that irritation originates and combining manual therapy with functional rehabilitation and neural mobilisation, we aim to relieve pressure on the nerve and support its function returning to normal over time.

How is nerve pain actually diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history, followed by a hands-on neurological and orthopedic examination, testing reflexes, strength, sensation, and how your specific symptoms behave with movement and provocation. This is what actually localises where along the nerve's pathway the irritation is coming from. Imaging such as an MRI or ultrasound can be a useful part of the picture where it's clinically warranted, but it's used alongside the physical examination, not as a replacement for it, a scan on its own doesn't tell us how a nerve is actually functioning.

What kinds of nerve-related conditions do you see?

We see a wide range of nerve-related presentations, including sciatica, disc-related nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital and Guyon's canal syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome, meralgia paraesthetica, Morton's neuroma, and other peripheral nerve entrapments, alongside general spinal and postural presentations that irritate nerves indirectly. Every case starts with an assessment to confirm what's actually going on before any treatment plan is built.

Is chiropractic care safe for nerve pain?

For most nerve-related musculoskeletal presentations, chiropractic care is generally considered a safe, conservative option. Treatment is adapted to your specific presentation, including low-force techniques where a nerve is highly irritated or sensitised, and we screen for red flags that would need onward referral rather than conservative care. As with any treatment, individual suitability depends on your specific history and presentation, which is exactly what your initial assessment is for.

Are there symptoms that mean I should see a doctor urgently, not book a chiropractic appointment?

Yes. Most nerve pain responds well to conservative care, but a small number of symptoms and history factors warrant prompt medical attention rather than a routine booking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area (the inner thighs, groin, or around the genitals), which can indicate cauda equina syndrome; progressive or rapidly worsening weakness; symptoms affecting both legs at once; fever alongside new or worsening pain; a current or previous history of cancer; a history of inflammatory arthritis alongside neck pain or new neurological symptoms; or unexplained, significant weight loss. If any of these apply to you, please see a GP or present to an emergency department rather than booking with us. We screen for these red flags as part of every initial assessment.

Do I need a referral from my GP to book an appointment?

No, our doors are open to everybody. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners registered with AHPRA, so you can book directly.

Can you still help if I have osteoporosis, or I'm recovering from surgery?

Yes, in both cases. For osteoporosis or generally fragile bone density, we modify our approach with gentler soft tissue techniques, low-force mobilisation, and decompression therapy. For post-surgical cases, spinal fusion or micro discectomies, for example, we treat more delicately, with your surgeon's timeframe and any complications shaping the pace of your rehabilitation.

Can I claim private health insurance on the day, and what will it cover?

Yes, bring your physical or digital private health insurance card and we can process your rebate on the spot. Coverage varies significantly between insurers and the level of cover you've selected, so it's worth checking your Product Disclosure Statement or calling your fund directly if you want an exact figure before you visit.

Back to Clinical InsightsNerve Entrapment

Guyon's Canal Syndrome: Ulnar Nerve at the Wrist

Aret AboulianChiropractor

July 6, 2025•5 min read

Cyclists call it 'handlebar palsy' for a reason, this ulnar nerve entrapment happens at the wrist, not the elbow, and the symptom pattern gives it away.

A Second Site for the Same Nerve

The ulnar nerve can become compressed at more than one point along its path, ulnar nerve entrapment is the broader category this falls under., and Guyon's canal, a small tunnel on the palm side of the wrist, on the pinky-finger side, is one of them. Guyon's canal syndrome refers to compression of the ulnar nerve at this specific site, distinct from cubital tunnel syndrome, which affects the same nerve further up at the elbow.

How It Presents

Symptoms centre on numbness and tingling in the ring and little finger, similar to cubital tunnel syndrome, but with one useful distinguishing feature: sensation on the back of the hand is usually unaffected, because the nerve branch supplying that area splits off before reaching Guyon's canal. If sensation over the back of the hand is also affected, the compression is more likely happening higher up, at the elbow.

Weakness in the small muscles of the hand can also develop in more established cases, sometimes noticed first as difficulty with fine grip tasks or a general sense of hand clumsiness.

Who Tends to Get It

Direct, repetitive pressure over the base of the palm is the most common driver, cyclists resting their weight through the handlebars for long periods (sometimes called 'handlebar palsy'), tradespeople using vibrating tools, and anyone who spends long periods with sustained pressure across the heel of the hand. Ganglion cysts in the area are a less common but recognised structural cause.

Confirming the Diagnosis

Because Guyon's canal syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome share overlapping finger symptoms, a proper neurological examination, testing sensation distribution carefully, along with specific provocation tests at the wrist and elbow, is what actually differentiates the two. Getting this right changes where treatment needs to focus.

What Tends to Help

Modifying the activity or equipment causing direct pressure over the canal, padded gloves and handlebar adjustments for cyclists, for example, is often a meaningful first step. Alongside that, soft tissue work, nerve mobilisation, and monitoring for any structural cause like a cyst that might need separate attention all form part of a considered approach to recovery.

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