Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is the most common diagnosis for wrist and hand pain in America. Carpal tunnel is also responsible for the highest number of days off due to work related injury.
This is why almost half a million Americans get carpal tunnel surgery each year. This makes it the most frequent surgery of the wrist.
Unfortunately, even after surgery the pain and numbness return in up to 57% of cases.
(Nancollas MP, Peimer CA, Wheeler DR, et al)
How Does Acupuncture Treat Carpal Tunnel Pain?
Acupuncture treats carpal tunnel at its source by increasing blood circulation to the hand and wrist area including the median nerve. Acupuncture therapy can reduce the swelling and inflammation that cause the pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms of carpal tunnel. Acupuncture can also address headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and sleeping problems that may accompany this condition. If the condition is caused by arthritis, Chinese herbal medicine may be used along with the acupuncture to address the arthritis.
Most cases of wrist and arm pain that are diagnosed as carpal tunnel are caused by the inflammation and irritation of trigger points that are aggravated by repetitive strain on the arm and hand muscles. This can be from computer work, cell phone use, sewing, or other activities.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist made up of ligaments and bones.
The median nerve has to pass through this tightly spaced tunnel along with the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the fingers. The median nerve is the main nerve for the wrist, hand, and fingers, and is the most common nerve effected in CTS.
CTS, is also known as median nerve entrapment because it occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.
What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
True carpal tunnel is caused by a compression of the median nerve due to a structural problem, meaning that something is pushing on the nerve. This can be due to arthritis, a trauma or injury to the wrist, or a congenital malformation of the area.
Most commonly the symptoms of carpal tunnel are due to repetitive strain, or overuse, of the neck and shoulders, or of the wrist and hand area. The frequent use of the arm, wrist and hand without stretching irritates the local area causing inflammation.
What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Symptoms usually start gradually and include one or all of the following: burning, tingling, pain, and numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers. The pain most often affects the thumb, index and middle fingers. The symptoms often first appear at night, during sleep.
As the condition worsens the area and intensity of the symptoms may increase. So what began as a mild tingling in the thumb may become pain and numbness in the thumb, wrist, and forearm. Decreased grip strength may also occur making it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other daily tasks.
If not properly treated, true CTS can cause irreversible nerve damage and permanent deterioration of muscle tissue.
How Can I Get Rid of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
One of the most effective methods of treating carpal tunnel syndrome is acupuncture. This is because it has the lowest incidence of serious side effects of any known treatment. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of treating carpal tunnel with acupuncture.
Our Orlando clinic has treated hundreds of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and has been successful in significantly reducing or eliminating the symptoms in about 90% of cases.
Our Services
Orlando Acupuncture offers a wide selection of therapies and treatments
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that originated in China.
It involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points or acupoints.
Herbal Therapy
Chinese herb therapy is a type of alternative medicine that involves the use of herbs and other plant-based substances to treat a wide range of conditions.
It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine.
O3 Regenerative Therapy®
O3 Regenerative Therapy® mixes gas naturally found in Earth’s atmosphere with oxygen to create a therapy with powerful healing.
ATP Resonance BioTherapy®
ATP Resonance BioTherapy® is a non-invasive and painless technique for treating pain by using specific low-level electrical currents.
