Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 

Symptoms

The carpal tunnel is a very narrow passage where the median nerve runs between the tendons, bones and ligaments of the wrist to the palm of the hand. Because this area is so narrow, the nerve is easily compressed, causing the pain typical to carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain centers on the palm and wrist, and may shoot up the arm. It is typically worse at night. Compression of this nerve also causes loss of sensitivity, tingling and numbness in the palm, thumb and two inside fingers. Some swelling of the hand occurs in the beginning, but later the palm muscles grow weak and lose flesh. Fine movements involving the wrist, such as writing and typing, become painful, and making a fist becomes impossible. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most common among mature women and usually affects both hands. Carpal tunnel injury often takes a long time to heal, but is easy to treat if diagnosed early.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes

When the tissue surrounding the nerve swells due to inflammation, compression of this nerve between the bones and ligaments of the wrist causes the numbness and pain. The inflammation is due to overuse of the hands, injury or
arthritis.

Glucosamine is a nutrient found naturally in the body, mostly in cartilage. It is essentially a combination of glucose and amine, an ammonia derivative containing nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. With age, cartilage loses glucosamine, resulting in thinning cartilage and eventually joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Repetitive wrist flexing predisposes the hands to carpal tunnel syndrome. Women who are pregnant or using oral contraceptives are more susceptible to the problem, possibly due to fluid changes during this time. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 is often lacking in those with carpal tunnel syndrome. Substances known to interfere with the absorption and use of vitamin B6 in the body are oral contraceptives, excessive protein, penicillin and other drugs.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Nutrition

Since a vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, afflicted persons should eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as nutritional yeast, raw wheat germ, cabbage, spinach, carrots and legumes.

Nutritional yeast is available in health food stores in the form of flakes or as a spreadable paste (delicious on wholegrain bread), as a tasty addition to salad dressings and as a valuable substitute for meat broths in soups, stews and sauces. Nutritional yeast provides not only vitamin B6 but also riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is needed for optimal uptake of vitamin B6.

Another valuable food with both vitamins B6 and B2 is raw wheat germ. Eating wheat germ daily, sprinkled onto your morning muesli for instance, will provide vitamins B6 and B2 and also magnesium. Magnesium deficiency may be
a factor in the development of carpal tunnel
syndrome. Nuts also contain magnesium. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and soft drinks, which bind magnesium, making it unavailable to the body.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Nutritional Supplements

Diet supplementation can encourage healing from repeated injury. Vitamin B6 in particular is often lacking in those with carpal tunnel syndrome. Diet supplementation helps reduce or eliminate symptoms, even in those contemplating surgery. Results should be noticeable within two or three weeks, sometimes sooner. For those lacking the enzyme to convert vitamin B6 to its active form, pyridoxal-5-phosphate can be used. This is the form needed for direct assimilation.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid found in evening primrose oil, provides the body with natural anti-inflammatories which reduce symptoms more permanently.

To reduce the inflammation associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, bromelain works more powerfully when taken on an empty stomach. Glucosamine supplements can rebuild damaged cartilage without producing side-effects. As an anti-inflammatory agent and painkiller, glucosamine is effective for long-term treatment of chronic illnesses. Most patients experience relief after taking glucosamine for six weeks.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin B6, 100 mg with 100 mg B complex or P-5-P, 100 mg

Bromelain, 250 mg three times daily between meals, during the inflammation

Glucosamine, 500 mg three times daily

Helpful

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Herbal Remedies

Herbs contain healing properties that help alleviate many symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is also high in vitamin C. Take 1/2 tsp. turmeric mixed in water daily, between meals. You can also apply a poultice made from turmeric.

The silica in horsetail helps rebuild connective tissue. Take 1/4 cup juice, 3 cups tea or
15-20 drops tincture in liquid three times daily, to help repair damaged and inflamed
tissue.

Ginkgo biloba helps improve circulation to the affected area. Take 20 drops tincture twice daily.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Homeopathy

Homeopathy can help relieve the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Choose one of the remedies below in a 6c strength, taking 2 tablets under the tongue and repeating three times daily for up to two weeks.

Magnesia phosporicum is helpful when warmth, pressure and rubbing temporarily relieve the pain. Cramping of the fingers occurs often.

Causticum should be considered if muscles and tendons feel contracted, and there is numbness and loss of sensation. Burning pains cause waking between 3 AM and 5 AM.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets under the tongue three times daily. If the pain is severe, repeat more often, every half hour if necessary.

Ferr phos is useful for inflammatory pains, and may be alternated with Kali phos for nervous system support.

Mag phos will help relieve spasms and
cramping pains.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome External/Physical Therapies

Try pulsed magnetic therapy to eliminate pain. It stimulates healing through improved blood circulation.

Apply an ice-cold pack to bring down swelling:wrap a kitchen towel around a bag of frozen peas and place it on the affected area.

If you sleep in a position that strains the wrists, change the sleeping position. Try sleeping on the back with the hands resting beside the thighs. Use a wrist splint to keep the wrists straight, which takes stress off the nerves.

Exercise all the affected muscles at least four times a day:

Lift your arms above your head and rotate your arm and wrist. This relieves the tension in the neck and upper back.

Circle your hands at the wrist. This will restore circulation and get the wrist out of the pain-inducing position that brings on the symptoms of this condition.

Gently close fingers into the palms, then open them and hold for a few seconds. Repeat a few times.

Rest from repetitive movements if the condition persists for three-to-six-months.

For long work sessions, support your arms and elbows on a flat surface, keeping them close to the body with the wrists straight.

Acupressure

Apply pressure for one minute to the top of the hand, as illustrated.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Other Suggestions

In addition to proper nutrition, chiropractic adjustments to the neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist on the affected side will resolve the
problem quickly.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Super Bromelain (Albi)

Co-Q-Max (Flora)

Bromelain Extra Strength (Natural Factors)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate(Natural Factors)

Glucosamine Sulfate (Natural Factors)

Stress B Formula (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

FloraSil (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Salus Herbal Calcium/Magnesium Liquid (Flora)

P-5-P with magnesium

(Klaire Laboratories)

Muscle and Joint (Natural Factors)

Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)

Ginkgo-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Turmeric-Power (Nature's Herbs)