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Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Conventional
treatment
For those individuals whose symptoms are mild, simply taking more breaks to rest their hands while at work may help alleviate the disorder. Others may simply need to apply cold packs to reduce the swelling. For others, whose symptoms are more severe and aren�t help with these
simple
remedies, face other therapies.
Conventional
medicine offers two distinct categories of help:
surgical and nonsurgical. Most
individuals with carpal tunnel don�t require surgery. Their symptoms can be effectively relieved through one of
three methods.
The first
method is to simply hold the wrist still during the night.
This involves the placement of a wrist splint. The purpose of this is to relieve the night time symptoms of
tingling and numbness that may be keeping you awake. This is an option � and more likely to be successful � if
you experience mild to moderate symptoms for less than a year.
If your
particular case of carpal tunnel syndrome involves inflammation, then your
health care practitioner may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
� commonly referred to as NSAIDs. These
may help in alleviating the pain associated with this condition as well as
the swelling. If no swelling is present, it�s highly unlikely that this
class of drugs will work for you.
Your health
care practitioner may decide that your case of carpal tunnel syndrome would
benefit from the administration of corticosteroids.
If this is the case, she�ll probably inject this passageway with a
corticosteroid, like cortisone, in order to relieve your pain.
This specific technique works because it decreases inflammation, and
reduces the pressure on the median nerve.
Don�t be surprised if your health care practitioner doesn�t offer
any you any oral corticosteroids. This
type doesn�t appear to be as effective as those given through injection.
If your case
of carpal tunnel syndrome persists, then your health care practitioner may
feel that surgery is the most effective option for you.
Your personal health care practitioner will set you up with an
appointment for a surgeon. This
professional may use one of several techniques in treating you.
Whatever method he uses, though, he�ll need to cut the ligament
that�s pressing on your nerve.
In some cases,
the surgery itself can be performed with an endoscope. This is a telescope-like device that has a tiny camera
attached to it. It allows the surgeon to view inside the passageway itself
and actually perform the surgical procedure through small incisions he�s
made on your hand or wrist. In
other cases, the surgery involves actually cutting the palm of your over the
area of the carpal tunnel is located and then release the nerve.
For many
people, surgery provides the relief they�ve been searching for.
However, it might be that you may experience some residual numbness,
pain, stiffness or even weakness following this procedure.
Immediately
following surgery, your use of your limb may be limited.
These limitations could last from several days to several weeks,
depending on your specific conditions.
Natural
Treatments
None of those
conventional treatments appeals to you?
Not interested in the side effects of any of those medications?
Not really thrilled about surgery?
Can�t say we blame you. You may be more interested in finding
relief through more natural means, then.
There are
plenty of alternatives available, from acupuncture to nutritional
supplements to herbs. You just
need to search a little to discover which ones fit your specific needs.
You might want
to try something as simple as yoga or other relaxation techniques.
They may help ease that chronic pain. Yoga is especially good as the
various postures associated with it are specifically designed to strengthen,
stretch and balance each joint in your upper body.
But don�t
stop with that. Keep searching
for some type of treatment that suits you.
You may benefit from a visit to a chiropractor.
You may find that heat therapy or a massage helps your symptoms.
Don�t over
look supplementation with vitamins, either.
You�ll especially want to investigate the use of B vitamins. They have a long history of benefiting individuals with
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Try starting
with B6. It has a long history
of helping the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some individuals have found relief simply by taking 100 mg of this
nutrient three times a day. It appears to reduce the inflammation of the
disorder.
Some
nutritionists also recommend increasing your body�s intake of Omega-3
fatty acids. They suggest
supplementing with at least 1,500 mg daily.
They also say that you may take as much as 3,000 mg a day with no ill
effects.
Herbal
remedies that have been known to help individuals suffering with carpal
tunnel syndrome include curcumin. Herbalists
suggest that you take 250 to 500 mg a day.
You may also want to try using St. John�s wort.
This herb is usually associated with relieving depression, although
herbalists say that it may also help reduce the inflammation and pain of
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wild yam is
still another excellent choice3 that many people have found to relieve their
symptoms of this nerve disorder. You
can take this orally, as a pill, capsule or a tablet, or you can drink this
as a tea. If you drink wild yam
tea, try to drink three cups daily.
Be careful
though in using herbs to relieve the pain and inflammation. You need to consult with your personal health care
practitioner before embarking on any herbal program.
This ensures that the herbs you�re planning on using won�t
interfere or produce any adverse side effects with any medications �
prescription or over-the-counter � you�re currently using.
You may also
want to consult with a professional herbalist before you make any decisions
on the herbs you might take. She
can help you decide exactly which ones may work best for your particular
symptoms and circumstances.
Exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Here are some graphics of exercises used to relieve pain for mile to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Note: Some statements in this article may not be
approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and
should not be taken as professional medical advice.
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