Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are many reasons why people experience pain, however one common complaint people have is carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

When there is compression of the median nerve on the palm side of the wrist between tendons that flex the hand. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

How Does it Develop?

There are a number of reasons why carpal tunnel syndrome can develop.

Firstly trauma of the wrist may lead to thickness of the flexor retinaculum, creating compression of the median nerve.

Secondly oedema or thickness of the soft tissue, lipoma or ganglion in the carpal tunnel can compress the median nerve.

Thirdly forceful flexion of the wrist may create median nerve compression.

How is it Diagnosed?

Several characteristics point to a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Pins and needles or burning pain in the palm side of the first 3 fingers and half of the ring finger.
Weakness and atrophy in muscles controlling thumb abduction.
Coldness of the affected fingers when the environment is cold
Phalen’s test is positive
Tapping the wrist reproduces pain.

How Can Acupuncture Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The most common strategy is to release the pressure on the median nerve and restore the natural function. However, there are a number of ways to support the recovery of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Acupuncture works by increasing the proprioceptive signal strength which causes a release of the bodies own pain relieving chemicals and causes vasodilation of blood vessels in the affected area to restore natural function.

Firstly, Acupuncture on the opposite wrist or ankle triggers fast pain relief on the affected side. This requires an acupuncturist experienced in distal needling. Apply here
Secondly, Acupuncture on the local area can help relax muscles and tendons, and increase blood circulation to the area to promote recovery.
Thirdly, manual techniques such as massage, counter pulling the affected fingers, stretching the fingers and tendons can support recovery.

Suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Apply for an Assessment here

David L. Edwards is an author, herbalist and licensed acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine and painless cures (available on amazon). David is the creator of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.

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References

Porter, Kaplan (editors). The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 19th ed. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, N.J. 2011.
The Practice of Chinese medicine, second edition. Giovanni Maciocia. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.