Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Care Guide

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment of a middle (median) nerve compressed between the wrist (longitudinal carpal ligament) and hand muscles and a ligament that is perpendicular, passing across the wrist (transverse carpal ligament). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a grouping of the symptoms of wrist pain, numbness, muscle weakness, shooting pain, and reduced range of motion. There is a space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when pressure builds up from swelling in this tunnel and puts pressure on the nerve. When the pressure from the swelling becomes great enough to disturb the way the nerve works, numbness, tingling, and pain may be felt in the hand and fingers. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome consists of a pattern of increasing tightness and pain in the forearms and wrist and hand, the whole arm really.

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What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Diabetes, mechanical injury, surgery for tumors or ruptured invertebral discs are considered sources of causation of the problem. Widespread use of computers and modern technology have caused a sharp increase in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and other repetitive strain injuries. In addition to problems related to menstruation or pregnancy, infectious agents, tumors, fat deposits,  repetitive physical tasks, low thyroid, vitamin B deficiencies, nerve disorders, or compression of the nerve root at the sixth cervical vertebrae caused by misalignment of the vertebrae at the neck,  Osteoarthritic (spurs), or vertebral disc disease may be additional causative factors. Although infectious agents may be responsible, this condition is considered a symptom complex rather than a disease entity. Usually Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results from swelling or fluids that contribute to pressure on a nerve. Pressure on the nerve can happen several ways: swelling of the lining of the flexor tendons, called tenosynovitis; joint dislocations, fractures, and arthritis can narrow the tunnel; and keeping the wrist bent for long periods of time. Fluid retention during pregnancy can cause swelling in the tunnel and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, which often go away after delivery. Thyroid conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes also can be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. There may be a combination of causes.

Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms usually include pain, numbness, tingling, or a combination of the three. The numbness or tingling most often takes place in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. The symptoms usually are felt during the night but also may be noticed during daily activities such as driving or reading a newspaper. Patients may sometimes notice a weaker grip, occasional clumsiness, and a tendency to drop things. In severe cases, sensation may be permanently lost and the muscles at the base of the thumb slowly shrink (thenaratrophy), causing difficulty with pinch.

Treatment

Symptoms may often be relieved without surgery. Identifying and treating medical conditions, changing the patterns of hand use, or keeping the wrist splinted in a straight position may help reduce pressure on the nerve. Wearing wrist splints at night may relieve the symptoms that interfere with sleep. A steroid injection into the carpal tunnel may help relieve the symptoms by reducing swelling around the nerve. When symptoms are severe or do not improve, surgery may be needed to make more room for the nerve. Pressure on the nerve is decreased by cutting the ligament that forms the roof (top) of the tunnel on the palm side of the hand. Incisions for this surgery may vary, but the goal is the same: to enlarge the tunnel and decrease pressure on the nerve. Following surgery, soreness around the incision may last for several weeks or months. The numbness and tingling may disappear quickly or slowly. It may take several months for strength in the hand and wrist to return to normal.

Traditional Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Traditional Treatment usually involves

• Conservative treatment by means of pain killers, such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), in the hopes that the condition will remit
• Attending to primary causative factors, such as diabetes, or tumors, if involved
• Splinting of the painful joints at night
• Surgery to drain fluids from the tendon sheaths that are compressing the nerve.

Alternative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Herbs

Herbs that will assist in quenching inflammation will support other desirable treatments. "A simple approach involves combining equal parts of meadowsweet and willow bark tinctures and taking one teaspoonful of this mixture three times a day.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture releases the body’s endorphins and enkephalines natural pain-killing chemicals and therefore very beneficial with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain.

Diet

Avoid/Limit consumption of sugars, caffeine, and processed grains and corn, and protein intake, elimination of foods containing yellow dyes.  Also restrict alcohol, estrogens, oral contraceptives, penicillamine, post-menopausal drugs, radiation exposure and tobacco. Try to avoid dairy products, "since these foods can cause and exacerbate inflammation.

Consume whole grains, seeds, nuts, soybeans, fresh salmon and cod (cold-water, non-farmed), brewer’s yeast molasses, liver, wheat bran and wheat germ. Also avocadoes, bananas, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, peanuts, prunes, raisins, walnuts, blueberries are listed as good sources.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback helps to return muscles to normal function, successfully curing the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This unsuspected connection, between muscles located remotely from the source of pain, reminds of phenomena routinely known in the practice of Reconstructive Therapy.

Chiropractic Treatment

It usually includes a series of steps that often solve the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome problem, as follows:

1. Determine whether or not the ulna and radius have been separated.
2. To push the ulna and radius back into proper position.
   1. Place the lower forearm, above the wrist, on a flat surface, towel beneath, and then press hard on top, straight down.
   2. Massage palm side of forearm near wrist to re-activate the muscle holding radius and ulna together.
3. To reform the arch made by the eight wrist bones which makes the carpal tunnel:
   1. Lay wrist, palm upward, on a flat surface. Put tip of thumb on the wrist creases and push down.
   2. Massage palm side of wrist, even if it hurts, to break down scar tissue and increase circulation. Include palm muscles and forearm.

Cold Laser Treatment

For those patients who object to the use of needles in acupuncture treatments, the cold laser is an excellent substitute. Its power output is such that cells are not damaged. The cold laser blocks enzymes that accompany pain and activates the synthesis of endorphins that block pain. It reduces the ability of lymphocytes to react to antigens, therefore also acting as an anti-inflammatory.

Swelling can reduce in hours, depending on the level of trauma and swelling. However, in chronic situations, 2 to 3 treatments per week may be necessary. Cold laser has the ability to increase the rate of nerve regeneration and increase growth of connective tissues and tendons.

Enzyme supplementation, along with proper diet, may be very important for properly digesting food, and for eliminating the inflammatory immuno complexes.

Exercise

Place the separated fingers on a flat surface and then to push down at roughly a 35 to 45 angle against the surface. While pushing against the surface the patient is asked to open and close the fingers. You’re counter-balancing forces - Push up with your fingers, letting them come together, while pushing down with your hand. Then let them separate again as your hand goes down. This simple exercise does wonders for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Selection of homeopathic remedies depends on the person’s personality, constitution and physical condition. Usually it is recommended to take 4 times daily for up to 2 weeks, the following:

• Natrum muriate 6c when pain is relieved by warmth and rubbing.
• Aconite 3c when pain is severe enough to awaken person up at night.
• Twenty minutes or so use of the Light Beam Generator can greatly reduce the pain and swelling of Carpal Tunnel Sydrome.
• The Omega Ray is a more advanced version of the Light Beam Generator, having the ability to generate a random pattern or varying cycle of frequencies, the advantage of which is that the body will find and use only those frequencies most effective for it. Because of this variability, it is less likely that the body will accommodate or become resistant to the energy.
• Photon Sound Beam - This new instrument utilizes both sound and light in gas tube technology to achieve similar results to those described in The Light Beam Generator and the Electro-Acuscope therapy.