Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Halt the hurting in your hands and wrists so you can get back to feeling well while you work. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Add vitamin B6 to the mix
Soothe symptoms by taking 300 mg a day for no more than three months straight, and 50 to 100 mg per day after that
- Slip on a splint
Reduce irritation by wearing a special wrist brace designed for carpal tunnel syndrome; use it during working hours and at night
- Consider chiropractic care and physical therapy
Consult a qualified practitioner for manipulative, soft tissue, and other therapies to reduce symptoms and improve function
Also indexed as:
- carpal tunnel syndrome,
- CTS
About this treatment
About This Condition
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition characterized by pain, tingling, and numbness in the fingers and hand, sometimes radiating up into the elbow.
The painful sensations of CTS are caused by compression of the median nerve in the tunnel of bones in the wrist. In many cases, the condition results from long-term repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, such as from computer use. Although repetitive motion is often a culprit, it does not explain the frequent occurrence of CTS with non-motion-related conditions, such as pregnancy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of CTS include recurrent numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in one or both hands in a characteristic location defined by the median nerve, which is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms are usually worse at night and after prolonged use of the hands. Some people may experience clumsiness in handling objects, with a tendency to drop things, and may also have a decreased ability to feel hot and cold.
Holistic Options
Acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of CTS. In a preliminary trial, people with CTS (some of whom had previously undergone surgery) received either acupuncture or electro-acupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation). Eighty-three percent of the participants in this trial experienced complete relief that lasted through two to eight years of follow-up. After reviewing all available scientific literature on the topic, a consensus conference convened in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture for CTS “may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.”
Manipulative procedures may have a role in treating CTS by decreasing symptoms and improving function. A type of stretching treatment called myofascial release improved the symptoms of a patient with CTS in one published case report, and similar treatments combined with specific wrist manipulations and self stretches were further tested in a small, preliminary trial. Participants in this study experienced a decrease in pain, numbness, and weakness, and their nerve function improved as well.
A small, preliminary trial assessed a chiropractic treatment program consisting of exercises, soft tissue therapy, and manipulation of the wrist, the upper extremity, the spine, and the ribs. The treatment resulted in improvement in grip and thumb strength, muscle function, flexibility, and overall function, as well as a decrease in pain among people with CTS. In a follow-up study six months later, most of the improvement had been maintained.A controlled clinical trial compared traditional medical and chiropractic care for CTS. People with CTS received either standard medical care (ibuprofen and nighttime wrist supports) or chiropractic care (manipulation of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, and spine, as well as massage to the soft tissues). Ultrasound and nighttime splints were also used in the chiropractic treatments. People in both groups improved significantly and similarly in terms of pain reduction, increased function, and improved finger sensation and nerve function, but the chiropractic group reported fewer side effects.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:
- Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
- Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
- Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.
The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.
How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?
Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.
How do I save content to my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.
How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.
How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.
To manage your Care Circle, Please
Sign In.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network