Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that involves impingement of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel-like opening in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is formed by the transverse carpal ligament and two wrist bones: the hammate and pisiform.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
* Numbness or tingling in the thumb and first two fingers
* Pain in the hand or wrist
* Poor grip strength (trouble lifting and carrying items) or weakness in the wrist and hand
* Difficulty moving the hand and fingers
* Muscle atrophy
If you have been suffering from any of the above symptoms, it is a good idea to determine whether it is because of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Although it is best to see a doctor for a definitive diagnosis, there are some quick tests you can try at home.
1. Tinel's Sign: Hold your symptomatic hand out, palm up. Tap firmly and quickly on the center of the wrist crease for several seconds. If this tapping aggravates your symptoms, it may be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
2. Phalen's Test: Bend your elbows and press the backs of your hands together in front of your chest. Fingers should point downward, and the wrists bent at a 90 degree angle. Hold this position for one minute. Any flare up in symptoms suggests Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
3. Reverse Phalen's Test: Press the palms of your hands together in a prayer position and lower your wrists and forearms as far as possible without letting your hands separate. Hold this position for one minute. Again, any worsening of symptoms suggests Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
There are several possible triggers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Because the tunnel the median nerve passes through is so narrow, it may become entrapped if there is any inflammation, fluid, or scar tissue within the tunnel. This, in turn, may be due to overuse, fluid retention, obesity, misalignment of the wrist or other joints, or a cyst or tumor in the wrist.
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
It is imperative to educate yourself on the treatment options available to you, so that you may make an informed decision as to whether to choose allopathic medicine (most M.D.s, or Medical Doctors) or alternative medicine (Chiropractic and/or Acupuncture). Read on to understand these very different approaches, and be sure to read my recommendations at the end.
Allopathic Medicine for Carpal Tunnel:
The traditional western medicine approach entails doctors doing orthopedic, nerve conduction velocity, and electromyography tests to diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Treatment options include wearing a brace for weeks, taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like Ibuprofen, corticosteroid injections, and ergonomic assessment and modifications.
While ergonomic evaluation and counseling is a good idea, there are many potential problems with the other therapies in this model. Wearing a brace takes weeks and is often ineffective. Taking NSAIDs may decrease pain and inflammation, but this is a band aid rather than a solution. Moreover, long-term use of NSAIDs carries a risk of side effects and serious complications like ulcers (bleeding in the stomach or gut). Corticosteroids are also effective in minimizing inflammation, but they too fail to address what triggered the inflammation, and repeated injections may have negative consequences on the ligaments, immune system, and adrenal glands.
The above measures often fail to provide relief, so that over 50% of people who try the above methods eventually resort to surgery. The surgical "solution" is to cut the transverse carpal ligament to make more room for the median nerve. Destroying this ligament destabilizes the contents of the carpal tunnel. Although surgery provides relief for some, it entails a recovery period of weeks of limited use and physical therapy. Moreover, there is a risk that scar tissue from the surgery may re-impinge the median nerve.
The allopathic medicine approach has no therapies that address misalignments in the wrist or other parts of the spine. Many medical doctors are not trained in identifying or treating such joint misalignments.
Alternative Medicine for Carpal Tunnel:
Besides orthopedic testing, alternative medicine doctors use palpation and muscle testing to identify the underlying cause of the problem. Expect an exam that evaluates the whole body rather than only focusing on the problem area.
Palpation is used to identify any misalignments that can irritate the median nerve. Professional Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing and biofeedback) is another valuable tool in diagnosing and correcting the cause of the Carpal Tunnel symptoms. The main treatment options in alternative medicine include chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture, and treatments may address other problem areas besides the wrist.
Chiropractic care has an impressive track record for resolving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Often the associated symptoms result from misalignment(s) of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and/or neck. In such cases, chiropractic adjustments can quickly and easily remove pressure from the median nerve and restore normal joint mechanics. This eliminates pain and restores normal muscle strength. Mild soreness sometimes follows the adjustment but resolves within 24 hours.
An acupuncturist will evaluate your pulse and look at your tongue to determine the cause of the problem. Acupuncture treatments involve inserting a few thin, sterile needles at various points throughout the body to restore balance and provide relief. Acupuncture, supplements, and diet modification have also been effective at decreasing inflammation and providing lasting relief for many.
Recommendations:
1. Try Vitamin B6 if you are retaining too much fluid. This is a natural diuretic and may help.
2. If your job involves repetitive motions for prolonged periods, such as long hours at a keyboard, get an ergonomic evaluation to minimize the stress on your wrist.
3. For a full month, cut out all sugar and sugar substitutes from your diet, and limit grians. These foods all increase inflammation and provoke the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
4. See a chiropractor or acupuncturist specializing in Professional Applied Kinesiology (PAK) for natural treatments for your carpal tunnel syndrome. Go to icakusa.com and click on the "Find a Doctor" tab to search for someone near you.
Most people respond very well to chiropractic, acupuncture, and/or supplements and dietary changes. These measures involve far fewer side effects and are less invasive than the treatments offered by medical doctors. If, however, these natural treatments fail to provide relief, let medicine and surgery be your back up plan.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
* Numbness or tingling in the thumb and first two fingers
* Pain in the hand or wrist
* Poor grip strength (trouble lifting and carrying items) or weakness in the wrist and hand
* Difficulty moving the hand and fingers
* Muscle atrophy
If you have been suffering from any of the above symptoms, it is a good idea to determine whether it is because of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Although it is best to see a doctor for a definitive diagnosis, there are some quick tests you can try at home.
1. Tinel's Sign: Hold your symptomatic hand out, palm up. Tap firmly and quickly on the center of the wrist crease for several seconds. If this tapping aggravates your symptoms, it may be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
2. Phalen's Test: Bend your elbows and press the backs of your hands together in front of your chest. Fingers should point downward, and the wrists bent at a 90 degree angle. Hold this position for one minute. Any flare up in symptoms suggests Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
3. Reverse Phalen's Test: Press the palms of your hands together in a prayer position and lower your wrists and forearms as far as possible without letting your hands separate. Hold this position for one minute. Again, any worsening of symptoms suggests Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
There are several possible triggers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Because the tunnel the median nerve passes through is so narrow, it may become entrapped if there is any inflammation, fluid, or scar tissue within the tunnel. This, in turn, may be due to overuse, fluid retention, obesity, misalignment of the wrist or other joints, or a cyst or tumor in the wrist.
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
It is imperative to educate yourself on the treatment options available to you, so that you may make an informed decision as to whether to choose allopathic medicine (most M.D.s, or Medical Doctors) or alternative medicine (Chiropractic and/or Acupuncture). Read on to understand these very different approaches, and be sure to read my recommendations at the end.
Allopathic Medicine for Carpal Tunnel:
The traditional western medicine approach entails doctors doing orthopedic, nerve conduction velocity, and electromyography tests to diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Treatment options include wearing a brace for weeks, taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like Ibuprofen, corticosteroid injections, and ergonomic assessment and modifications.
While ergonomic evaluation and counseling is a good idea, there are many potential problems with the other therapies in this model. Wearing a brace takes weeks and is often ineffective. Taking NSAIDs may decrease pain and inflammation, but this is a band aid rather than a solution. Moreover, long-term use of NSAIDs carries a risk of side effects and serious complications like ulcers (bleeding in the stomach or gut). Corticosteroids are also effective in minimizing inflammation, but they too fail to address what triggered the inflammation, and repeated injections may have negative consequences on the ligaments, immune system, and adrenal glands.
The above measures often fail to provide relief, so that over 50% of people who try the above methods eventually resort to surgery. The surgical "solution" is to cut the transverse carpal ligament to make more room for the median nerve. Destroying this ligament destabilizes the contents of the carpal tunnel. Although surgery provides relief for some, it entails a recovery period of weeks of limited use and physical therapy. Moreover, there is a risk that scar tissue from the surgery may re-impinge the median nerve.
The allopathic medicine approach has no therapies that address misalignments in the wrist or other parts of the spine. Many medical doctors are not trained in identifying or treating such joint misalignments.
Alternative Medicine for Carpal Tunnel:
Besides orthopedic testing, alternative medicine doctors use palpation and muscle testing to identify the underlying cause of the problem. Expect an exam that evaluates the whole body rather than only focusing on the problem area.
Palpation is used to identify any misalignments that can irritate the median nerve. Professional Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing and biofeedback) is another valuable tool in diagnosing and correcting the cause of the Carpal Tunnel symptoms. The main treatment options in alternative medicine include chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture, and treatments may address other problem areas besides the wrist.
Chiropractic care has an impressive track record for resolving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Often the associated symptoms result from misalignment(s) of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and/or neck. In such cases, chiropractic adjustments can quickly and easily remove pressure from the median nerve and restore normal joint mechanics. This eliminates pain and restores normal muscle strength. Mild soreness sometimes follows the adjustment but resolves within 24 hours.
An acupuncturist will evaluate your pulse and look at your tongue to determine the cause of the problem. Acupuncture treatments involve inserting a few thin, sterile needles at various points throughout the body to restore balance and provide relief. Acupuncture, supplements, and diet modification have also been effective at decreasing inflammation and providing lasting relief for many.
Recommendations:
1. Try Vitamin B6 if you are retaining too much fluid. This is a natural diuretic and may help.
2. If your job involves repetitive motions for prolonged periods, such as long hours at a keyboard, get an ergonomic evaluation to minimize the stress on your wrist.
3. For a full month, cut out all sugar and sugar substitutes from your diet, and limit grians. These foods all increase inflammation and provoke the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
4. See a chiropractor or acupuncturist specializing in Professional Applied Kinesiology (PAK) for natural treatments for your carpal tunnel syndrome. Go to icakusa.com and click on the "Find a Doctor" tab to search for someone near you.
Most people respond very well to chiropractic, acupuncture, and/or supplements and dietary changes. These measures involve far fewer side effects and are less invasive than the treatments offered by medical doctors. If, however, these natural treatments fail to provide relief, let medicine and surgery be your back up plan.
About the Author:
Jasmine Greene is an educator on health, wellness, and holistic medicine. Are you looking for a Glen Ellyn Acupuncturist? Consider a visit to Kinesis.
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