Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Treat It NaturallyWhat is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist. The median nerve is the nerve that travels down the arm into the hand. The carpal tunnel receives its name from the eight bones in the wrist, called carpals, which form a "tunnel" through which the nerve leading to the hand extends. The pressure on the wrist can cause the fingers and thumb to feel tingly and numb. They may feel paralysed, or unable to move.
Causes With many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome the exact cause is not known. A multitude of things can lead to it rearing its’ ugly head:
Who's Most At Risk? Women are more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common age group to develop CTS is those between 40 – 60, however it can occur at any age. People working with small hand tools in manufacturing and those using a computer keyboard on a regular basis are especially at risk. Symptoms Should carpal tunnel syndrome show up in your life, there is no way you can miss it. CTS can affect one or both of the hands. The first warning signs are pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers. Usually only one side of the third finger, also known as the ring finger, is affected, and the little finger is not affected at all. Any number of the following symptoms can develop:
If you are experiencing a combination of any of these symptoms, there is a high likelihood that you are in the early stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Treatment There are numerous suggestions for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, restore normal sensation and prevent the problem from becoming worse. Herbal Remedies Using herbs for healing is generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. While I wouldn't call them herbal cures in this instance, there are quite a few herbs available that can help alleviate this problem. Herbal remedies for women are particularly important because of women's elevated risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. The following are all individual herbs that you can use to treat your CTS, however, there are also some great pre-made remedies that come highly recommended from Native Remedies. Willow (Salix, various species). Willow bark, the original source of aspirin, contains chemicals (salicylates) that both relieve pain and reduce inflammation. You might also try other herbs rich in salicylates like meadowsweet or wintergreen. Suggested Usage: With any of these herbs, steep one to two teaspoons of dried, powdered bark or five teaspoons of fresh bark for ten minutes or so, then strain out the plant material. You can add lemonade to mask the bitter taste and drink two to three cups of tea a day. Remember, though, that if you're allergic to aspirin, you probably shouldn't take aspirin-like herbs, either. Camomile (Matricaria recutita). Camomile tea is best known as a way to help bring calm. But its active compounds (bisabolol, chamazulene and cyclic ethers) also have potent anti-inflammatory action. Suggested Usage: You might try drinking several cups of camomile tea throughout the day. Pineapple (Ananas comosus). Pineapple contains a protein-dissolving (proteolytic) enzyme, bromelain, that is often recommended for CTS. Bromelain can reduce, swelling, inflammation and pain. Suggested Dosage: Take between 250 and 1500 mg daily. Red Pepper (Capsicum, various species). Also known as cayenne, red pepper contains six pain-relieving compounds and seven that are anti-inflammatory. Especially noteworthy is capsaicin. Suggested Usage: You might add several teaspoons of powdered cayenne to a quarter-cup of skin lotion and rub it on your wrists. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using any topical capsaicin treatment, as you don't want to get it in your eyes. Also, since some people are quite sensitive to this compound, you should test it on a small area of skin before using it on a larger area. If it seems to irritate your skin, discontinue use. You can also try adding a few drops of lavender oil to your red-pepper salve. Lavender oil is a mainstay of aromatherapy, useful for treating inflammation and burns. Its aroma is also quite relaxing, which helps when you're feeling the pain of CTS. Turmeric (Curcuma longa). This herb contains curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory chemical that works similar to cortisone. Cortisone is expensive and can have nasty side effects. Turmeric is much easier on the system and the pocketbook, not to mention a lot tastier. Suggested Dosage: 250 to 500 mg of pure curcumin a day, between meals. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Applying comfrey to the skin can help relieve pain, swelling and inflammation. The active compounds are allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Suggested Usage: Add a few teaspoons of dried, powdered comfrey to the recipe mentioned above for red pepper or to any favorite skin cream. Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): Used for inflammantion as well as antioxidant and immune effects. Use caffeine free products. Suggested Dosage: 250 - 500 mg daily. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb. Castor Oil Packs -- Apply castor oil to a cloth, loosely wrap around wrist, and then cover with Saran Wrap. Apply a heating pad for 1 hour, or without using a heating pad, sleep with the application on the wrist. Do this for four to five nights per week until improvement occurs. Heat/Cold Application Heat or cold application can provide temporary relief of pain. Heat helps to reduce pain and stiffness by relaxing aching muscles and increasing circulation to the area. Cold helps to lessen the pain and swelling. Suggested Usage: Submerge your hands and wrists in warm water (as warm as you can tolerate) for 3 minutes. Switch to submerging in cold water (again, as cool as you can tolerate) for 1 minute. Repeat this cycle 3 – 5 times twice a day. Relaxation When you relax the muscles around the inflamed area, this in turn reduces the pain. There are numerous ways to relax that have been proven to be successful. Try out as many as you need to in order to find a way that works for you. You can try deep breathing exercises, listening to relaxing music or relaxation cd’s. There is also meditating. If you are unsure of how to proceed with this, there is lots of guided meditations available for you. Some people like to pray, while others like to use visualization to become calm. This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of relaxation methods, but it gives you a place to start. Acupuncture Studies suggest that acupuncture restores normal nerve function and can provide long-term relief of pain associated with CTS. Acupuncturists treat people with CTS based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of CTS, acupuncturists will often target the liver, gallbladder, and kidney meridians. Chiropractic CTS is commonly treated by chiropractors. The methods most chiropractors use to treat CTS include manipulation of the wrist, elbow, and upper spine, ultrasound therapy, and wrist supports. Massage Massage may help prevent or relieve symptoms, especially in combination with rosemary or St. John's Wort oil. Prevention There are no proven strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but to protect your hands from a variety of ailments, take the following precautions: Reduce your force and relax your grip. Most people use more force than needed to perform many tasks involving the hands. If your work involves a cash register, for instance, hit the keys softly. For prolonged handwriting, use a big pen with an oversized, soft grip adapter and free-flowing ink. This way you won't have to grip the pen tightly or press as hard on the paper. Take frequent breaks. Be kind to your body. Every 15 to 20 minutes give your hands and wrists a break by gently stretching and bending them. Alternate tasks when possible. If you use equipment that vibrates or that requires you to exert a great amount of force, taking breaks is even more important. Watch your form. Avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. A relaxed middle position is best. If you use a keyboard, keep it at elbow height or slightly lower. Use your back, arms and legs to help you keep from putting stress on your wrist and hand. For example, use a shoulder bag instead of carrying something in your hands. Improve your posture. Incorrect posture can cause your shoulders to roll forward. When your shoulders are in this position, your neck and shoulder muscles are shortened, compressing nerves in your neck. This can affect your wrists, fingers and hands. Keep your hands warm. You're more likely to develop hand pain and stiffness if you work in a cold environment. If you can't control the temperature at work, put on fingerless gloves that keep your hands and wrists warm. Use Chinese steel balls. This technique improves flexibility. Hold two steel balls in one hand and roll them around. The Chinese balls provide a gentle form of exercise, and the rolling motion massages the tiny muscles and ligaments of the hands and wrists. Find different tools that can make the task easier. If you are doing a task for work or a hobby that may have caused your carpal tunnel syndrome, change how you do that task. Wear a splint at night. Consider getting a splint to hold your joints in a comfortable position while sleeping. A splint can help decrease pain, swelling and stiffness.
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