Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrists and hands. People who do a lot of repetitive actions with their hands and wrists are most susceptible, and it affects more women than men. The condition most frequently occurs when a person is between 40 and 60 years of age. It may be associated with other health conditions like rubella, Lyme disease, pregnancy or menopause. By combining natural remedies and gentle exercises however, mild to moderate cases may be alleviated.
Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand or fingers, especially the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. You may feel like you hit your "funny bone" but the feeling is in your hands. You may notice pain or tingling at night that is strong enough to wake you from sleep. The fingers may feel swollen even though it does not look swollen. Some people feel a shooting pain from the hand up the arm, sometimes as far as the shoulder. Loss of sensation and weakness can also occur. It may get worse if actions are not taken to relieve it.
Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive use of the hands and fingers, especially if the hands are held in an improper position. Some repetitive tasks that can cause this problem include typing, repetitive bending of the wrist, playing video games, riding a bike or motorcycle and the improper positioning of the hands at a keyboard. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, and the syndrome causes inflammation to compress this nerve as it passes through this narrow passage. Other conditions like obesity, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, arthritis and diabetes can also cause it or similar symptoms. Contributing risk factors may include the intake of lots of caffeine, tobacco or alcohol.
Cautions
If home remedies do not give relief, you may need to see your physician for other alternatives like splinting and medication. Severe cases may need surgery to relieve the problem. Surgery is effective in 95% of the time in these cases. Alternative therapies such as Bowen Therapy are associated with positive effects.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
To treat inflammation and pain:
- Meadowsweet – an herbal tea made from the leaves and flower tops can relieve pain and inflammation such as occurs with the condition.
- Willow bark – this natural form of aspirin will relieve pain and inflammation when taken as a tea or supplement.
- Turmeric – this is another anti-inflammatory herb that can be made into a tea or added to a spoon of honey.
- Green tea – take an extract in a dose of 250 to 500 mg a day to help with inflammation and to stimulate the immune system. Green tea also provides antioxidants. Drinking the tea is also effective.
- Milk thistle – take 80 to 160 mg 2 or 3 times per day to support the body while it tries to heal.
- Devil's claw – take 1-2g 3 times per day to treat the inflammation of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Feverfew - anti-inflammatory actions, take as presecribed.
External Applications
- Arnica – apply the ointment to the affected part of the hands and wrist to reduce the pain.
- St. John's wort – apply a cream containing St. John's wort to ease the inflammation of the muscles and connective tissue.
- Cayenne - apply cayenne based ointment to the affected area 3 - 4 times a day.
Aromatherapy
Nutmeg - add 3 drops of nutmeg essential oil to 50 ml carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil and apply to affected area 2 - 3 times a day. It can also be used in the bath.