We rely on our hands to do so much. We type. And type. We grip the steering wheel. We open jars and doors and button our shirts. So how would you feel if you could no longer use your hands like you used to? What if you were forced to take time off work? That's what some people with carpal tunnel syndrome face-and it can lead to depression.
More and more people are developing carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition characterized by recurrent pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers or hands-especially the thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers.
It's caused by repetitive use (especially with improper positioning) and conditions like obesity, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, arthritis, and diabetes.
But there are some natural remedies that can be used to relieve pain and can be a valuable part of a treatment plan. Find out about natural remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome.
What remedies have you tried for carpal tunnel syndrome? Are you a health practitioner who treats carpal tunnel syndrome? Share your experiences below in the comments.
Related Poll: How many hours per day do you spend working at the computer?
photo credit: © Micah Watson
I take a B-complex regularly. If I do not take this, my carpal tunnel will begin to bother me.
Swimming and swim aerobics were better for me than any vitamin, cortisone shot, or surgery. I was off work for 5 months due to carpal tunnel, so I decided to take advantage of the time and hit the beach in sunny Florida. I swam nearly every day that week, and at the end of my vacation, I felt like I’d been in the fountain of youth instead of the hotel pool! Everytime I feel my shoulders and wrists tighten up, I hit the pool and I’m ok for at least a couple months.
Frequent stretch breaks and postural changes are important. Stretching tight anterior muscles and strenthening postural upper back muscles also are key. I have designed a wrist brace that allows range of motion while supporting and widening the carpal tunnel to reduce median nerve compression.
For some people carpal tunnel is not in the wrist, it is actually in the neck. Find yourself a good chiropractor preferably one who practices CBP.
After years of typing and using a mouse, I developed RSI. What worked for me was the double-edged approach of using self-help acupressure or a hand-held electronic acupuncture device and experimenting with mice and keyboards until I found the writing tools that were most comfortable for me.
By it’s very name and nature, repetitive strain injury cannot be healed while we are repeatedly doing damage. For example, many mice, while claiming to be ergonomic, cause the hand to bend too far back at the wrist in an unnatural posture, that leads to strain and fatigue. My preferred mouse is as flat to the desk as possible, better still, I used track-pad.
I do no repetitive wrist motions. I an a hypothyroid patient who stopped taking HRT for 2 months & developed CT in both wrists. Doctor wanted to operate. I declined & resummed the HRT, & CT just as quickly disappeared almost completely. HRT withdrawal combined with hypothyroidism disrupted the whole hormone sequence & caused CT.
My husband suffered with carpel tunnel. During the time of that diagnosis from the ‘conventional’ medical community, he was also being treated by a different doctor who was nutritionally minded. He discovered my husband had a severe case of candidiasis (ie. systemic yeast over-growth). Following a strict treatment for the next 2 years his health improved dramatically. We then realized the carpel tunnel was 100% gone and for 10 years has never returned!