Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating carpal tunnel syndrome; eliminating the need for surgery or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In fact, one of the most common reasons that people get acupuncture is for repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Recent studies even suggest that acupuncture may be more effective than corticosteroids when it comes to treating CTS.
Holistic Ideas to Prevent and Treat Carpal Tunnel
Symptoms of carpal tunnel can include tingling in the hands or wrists, sharp pain, numbness, and decreased mobility. This condition can take years to develop, and it’s important to take precautions from the get-go. However, if you’re already feeling some of the effects, there are some holistic tips you can try to decrease your pain and increase your ease of movement.
If you haven’t felt any symptoms yet, but want to prevent carpal tunnel from developing, try these pointers:
- Move as much as you can at work. Avoid maintaining the exact same position for more than 45 minutes at a time.
- Keep warm. Often, people who frequently have cold hands are more prone to developing carpal tunnel. Keep your circulation strong.
- Try to use each hand evenly. Don’t let one overcompensate for the other.
- Maintain correct posture at your desk. The longer you sit on one position in front of a computer, the more you’re likely to slouch. Slouching puts strain on the neck and shoulders, which in turn affect your wrists and hands.
- If you’re working on a keyboard, try to keep your forearms level with the keyboard. Avoid bending your wrists for long periods of time.
- If you’ve begun noticing signs of carpal tunnel, or have already been diagnosed, try some of these holistic tips for pain relief.
- Try wearing a wrist splint. This can ensure that your wrists remain level, don’t bend, and can also take some pressure off your median nerve.
- Get a massage. Massage can work wonders for sore muscles, and can also address the bigger picture. It may be your wrists that consistently hurt, but getting consistent massages that treat neck and shoulder pain can help reduce the strain you put on your wrists at work.
- Rest. If at all possible, take some time away from the computer. Mix up what you do during the day so your wrists aren’t always in one position.
- Yoga is a form of exercise that can help relieve your wrist pain. It can increase your circulation, promotes gentle stretching of sore muscle groups, and increase mobility.
- Acupuncture is a natural alternative to try, especially before deciding on surgery for carpal tunnel. Acupuncture can reduce pain and increase mobility. It can also work as a complementary treatment if you do need surgery, as acupuncture can speed up your recovery process.
Sources:
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Bland JD. The relationship of obesity, age, and carpal tunnel syndrome: more complex than was thought? Muscle Nerve. 2005. Oct;32(4):527-32.
Blankfield RP, Sulmann C, Fradley LG, et al. Therapeutic touch in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. J Am Board Fam Pract 2001;14:335-42.
Branco K, Naeser MA. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical outcome after low-level laser acupuncture, microamps transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and other alternative therapies--an open protocol study. J Altern Complement Med. 1999 Feb;5(1):5-26.
Byers CM, DeLisa JA, Frankel DL, Kraft GH. Pyridoxine metabolism in carpal tunnel syndrome with and without peripheral neuropathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1984;65:712-6.
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