Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Holistic Therapy (Part One)

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a debilitating and painful disorder that brings on numbness and tingling in the hands and/or fingers, specifically the wrist, thumb, index finger and/or the ring finger. In some cases weakness also occurs in the wrist and hands and in some people there is a loss of sensation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is brought on due to repetitive actions of the fingers and hands such as improper positioning of the hands, which occurs as a result of constant typing on a computer, cash register, etc. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves the median nerve in the hand. In this case this nerve becomes compressed and it goes through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passageway that houses ligaments and bones, which can be found on the bottom side of the wrist. Besides repetitive use carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by such conditions as pregnancy, obesity, arthritis, diabetes and hypothyroidism.

There are a variety of holistic approaches that can be taken to help treat the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Acupuncture is one option that can bring relief. In this case thin sterile needles are placed into certain areas of the body to bring pain relief. Acupuncturists believe that the body contains energy pathways known as meridians and when these meridians are blocked pain is brought on. Acupuncture is a therapy that works to unblock these areas to stop pain so it cannot get any worse. It is widely believed that acupuncture is capable of releasing chemicals in the body that directly help to fight pain and encourage the proper balance of the circulation system as well as promoting adequate circulation of the blood in the body.

The points used in acupuncture when it is done for carpal tunnel include the wrist, the arm, the thumb and sometimes other regions of the hands. In soma cases other parts of the body will be worked on as well including the leg, the neck and the upper back. How many acupuncture treatments a patient requires is dependent on many factors including the symptoms, how long the person has been afflicted with the condition, the severity of the condition, a person’s overall level of health and how much use a person gets out of their arms and hands (i.e. some people hold jobs that involve a great deal of typing or manual dexterity while other people do not).

In some cases laser acupuncture will be used on a patient as opposed to acupuncture with needles. In this case a handheld laser is used. Some studies have found that after patients underwent three laser acupuncture treatments weekly for a period of four to five weeks that their symptoms got better. Some people however take longer to notice an improvement, whereas others see no improvement at all. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to ascertain if a treatment is for you or not. If acupuncture or laser acupuncture is a holistic therapy you are considering then search for a qualified professional in your area and always speak to your doctor before you book a consultation with the acupuncturist. The Internet is a fast and easy method of finding a professional in your community.