Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition of nerve entrapment. It involves the median nerve that passes through a small space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. Problems occur when the tunnel becomes too narrow for both the nerve and tendons, placing pressure on the nerve.

There are a number of underlying causes of CTS. These include overuse injuries, pregnancy, and illnesses such as a thyroid imbalance, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. The most common symptoms of CTS include numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. These symptoms tend to be worse at night. There may also be pain and weakness in the hand, wrist, and forearm. Standard treatments for CTS include rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, splinting the wrist at night and vitamins B1 and B6. Surgery may be an option for severe cases.

The good news is that research has shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain caused by CTS. Acupuncture decreases inflammation, increases circulation, and reduces the swelling that causes the impingement. For CTS related to overuse, we include manual therapy on the muscles of the forearm along with instructions for a daily stretching regime of the wrist and forearms. These additional treatments help loosen the flexor muscles of the forearm to prevent inflammation at the carpal tunnel region.   

If you are experiencing CTS it is important to start treatment soon to prevent damage to the impinged nerve.