Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist and causes tingling, numbness, and other symptoms in the hands and arms.
Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers only
- Tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers only
- Wrist discomfort
- Weakened grip
Various factors can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- autoimmune disorders
- fluid retention
- repeated over-extension of the wrist
- poor wrist positioning while using the computer
- prolonged subjection of vibrations from power tools
While there are various treatments used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery is typically the final treatment once the symptoms become too severe. Try these natural, non-invasive natural ways to reduce the pain before possibly going under the knife:
1. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant found naturally in the body that also comes in supplements. Alpha-lipoic acid in combination with gamma-linolenic acid has been found to be effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
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2. Vitamins
Vitamin B6 deficiency may be related to carpal tunnel syndrome, and its antinociceptive properties may reduce sensitivity to pain. Vitamin B6 also reduce pain because it treats conditions that damage the peripheral nerves. Vitamin B6 can be found in fish, beef, poultry, starchy vegetables, and some fruits and can also be found in a supplemental form. Magnesium improves muscle relaxation and nerve function. Magnesium can be found in green vegetables, grains, or legumes, but it can also be purchased in supplemental form. Magnesium may cause loose bowel movements, but simply reducing the dose typically remedies this side effect.
3. Acupuncture
Inserting needles in pressure points in the hands, wrist, arm, and thumb area along with the neck, upper back, and leg can reduce carpal tunnel pain. Doing so increases circulation in the body and releases pain-relieving chemicals in the body. The effectiveness of acupuncture is determined by the overall health of an individual, symptoms, symptom intensity, and how much a person uses their arms and hands.
4. Yoga
Yoga postures that promote the stretching, strengthening, and balancing of upper body joints can reduce carpal tunnel pain. It should be done regularly in order to benefit fully from its results. Movements that cause discomfort around the areas affected by carpal tunnel syndrome can be altered or avoided completely to prevent injury.
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5. Herbs
Rubbing arms and wrists twice a day with an ointment containing arnica reduces inflammation and eases carpal tunnel pain. Place a quarter teaspoon of the ointment on the inside of the wrist and massage it to the base of the palm. The antidepressant St. John’s wort also reduces carpal tunnel pain by reducing inflammation and nerve damage. A tablespoon of flaxseed oil every day allows its high content of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be taken alone or with foods to improve absorption
Natural remedies can be very effective in carpal tunnel relief, but symptoms should be watched carefully to stop any complications before they progress. If any of these remedies cause adverse side effects, reduce the dose or discontinue use, and choose from the large variety of natural choices that fits you best. Underlying conditions should be considered when choosing natural remedies, and consulting a doctor before using them is recommended if other medicines are currently being used to prevent unpleasant reactions.
