Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Cal, Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the office and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to remember to look it up later when I get home. Blessings, Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Hello Angie, Would you mind telling me how the hypdrotherapy works ? The only thing I can think of immediately is having a jacuzzi in the Sports spa :-) How might one approach this method at home ? I looked up the file section but the only thing I can see which is remotely relate is an article written by the Doc under the Varicose Veins section on hot and cold therapy, it is not the same thing at all, is it ? My friend said his CTS starts from his fingers, along his arms and up, all the way to his shoulder blades. CTS seems to be afflicted more and more people these days, any ideas about holistic/herbal therapies would be of great value to all I am sure. Would appreciate much if you could look this up. Thanks, Cal herbal remedies , Angela Sill <angelasill> wrote: > Cal, > > Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the office and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to remember to look it up later when I get home. > > Blessings, > Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 i get CTS off and on in my right arm. I work (and play here ) on the computer 9+ hours daily. When i start having pain, i stop and stretch my arms and wrists. when int he shower, i focus the water on my wrists (both hot and cold) If your friend wants, he can get a flat tub (like the kind they use for pedicures) and stick as much of his arm in as possible from elbow to wrist) and do hot and then cold. Shower method is easier and less messy of course. Sylvia herbal remedies , " Honeybourne " <calypso@a...> wrote: > Hello Angie, > > Would you mind telling me how the hypdrotherapy works ? The only > thing I can think of immediately is having a jacuzzi in the Sports > spa :-) How might one approach this method at home ? > > I looked up the file section but the only thing I can see which is > remotely relate is an article written by the Doc under the Varicose > Veins section on hot and cold therapy, it is not the same thing at > all, is it ? > > My friend said his CTS starts from his fingers, along his arms and > up, all the way to his shoulder blades. > > CTS seems to be afflicted more and more people these days, any ideas > about holistic/herbal therapies would be of great value to all I am > sure. > > Would appreciate much if you could look this up. > > Thanks, > > Cal > > herbal remedies , Angela Sill <angelasill> > wrote: > > Cal, > > > > Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. > Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many > pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help > tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the > office and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to > remember to look it up later when I get home. > > > > Blessings, > > Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Cal, For hydrotherapy, you would have your friend put the affected area under running hot water (as hot as is tolerable) for 3 minutes, then cold (as cold as is tolerable) for one minute and back to hot. This should repeated about 3 times in a row. You can also substitute ice packs and heating pad for the water, but I think the water is more effective. Mail is new and improved - Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 ST Yes, hydrotherapy will help with arthritis too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 I have been through the entire nine yards with carpal tunnel syndrome. Here is what worked for me: Most western medicine doctors have no idea how to diagnose, treat CT, so there are a lot of misdiagnoses (I had to go to 5 doctors--got different diagnosis each time, ranging from arthritis to lupus). I finally went to holistic people and found my answers. The pain was in the wrist, however, the probelm originated in the neck with what is called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or Double-Crush Syndrome. This is caused when people like me try to fit their body to the computer equipment, e.g. desk, chair, instead of making the equipment fit my body. There are OSHA standards for this. Poor posture, leaning forward, leaning on one elbow, crossing legs, sticking arm out window while driving, talking with phone crooked under neck while stirring pot over the stove -- all of this over time can contribute to the median nerve in the arm being cut off at the neck area. I would suggest Feldenkrais or the Alexander technique for your friend to learn how to sit in a healthy fashion so CT can clear up. Network chiropractic, deep tissue massage, vitmain B complex, elevating arms above heart to drain toxins, swimming laps (which really opens up the thoracic) -- all are good at alleviating symptoms. If your friend opts for surgery the first thing they will tell him in rehab is don't go back to your old job or you will have to go through symptoms all over again. I guess the one comfort in having gone through all this is that maybe I can help somebody else. Pix herbal remedies , " Honeybourne " <calypso@a...> wrote: > Hello group, > > I would like to ask for some help for information please for a dear > friend of mine who is not connected to the internet. He has CTS on > and off for years due to his profession and by the sound of things it > is getting quite serious. Obviously it will have serious personal > and professional consequences for him if the situation gets worse. > > What I have are messages dated 22 August and 20 November from last > year from Elizabeth (Massage Oil Formula) and Peaceful Glow > (Stretching exercise) relating to this subject in my files but I have > not been able to find other messages through the search archive > facility. I will be grateful for (1) any message references so that > I can look it up (2) any information which you may have to hands. If > the information you have is too bulky or repetitive for the list, I > would appreciate it if you could email it to me privately. > > Also I am looking at the suggestion for MSM, and I think I am > confusing this with DMSO. Which is the one I should be asking for > pharmaceutical grade in glass bottle ?? And what should be the > dosage ? > > With reference to Doc's BF & C formula. It is for internal use, > right ? How should one take this, and again what is the dosage ? > > Thank you ever so much for any information and suggestions you may > have on this subject. > > Cal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Will hydrotherapy help with arthritis as well? Thanks, ST Angela Sill wrote: > Cal, > > Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. > Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many > pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help > tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the office > and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to remember to > look it up later when I get home. > > Blessings, > Angie > > ------ > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard > <http://us.rd./mail_us/taglines/spamguard/*http://promotions./\ new_mail/static/protection.html>. > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician > and to > prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as > long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any > person > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products > from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and > members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington > Doctor of Naturopathy > Dr.IanShillington > > > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2004 Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 Cal - Some years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with CTS; so I started reading extensively on it. She was determined to go thru surgery. Ironically, two years after that, I started having similar feelings in my wrist. What I had found from my reading was that the casing covering the main nerves that go from one hand, up the arm, over the shoulders and down the other arm to the other wrist needs a good amount of Vitamin B6; otherwise, one has CTS problems. So I started taking 800 mg. of Vit. B6 a day, along with a B-complex, so as to balance the large amount of B6 I was taking. Within two weeks, my wrist felt normal again so stopped the large amount of B6. I have since stayed on a B-complex supplement, and have never had a problem since. Since the B vitamins are water soluble, what your body doesn't need will be washed through you. You can determine what amount of B6 your body needs. The question is: why would one person be fine doing a repetitive hand-wrist action, and another person have CTS doing the same action? So it has to go deeper than just the action of a motion--it's what is going on inside the body. Janet Honeybourne [calypso] Friday, July 09, 2004 4:39 AMherbal remedies Subject: Herbal Remedies - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Hello group,I would like to ask for some help for information please for a dear friend of mine who is not connected to the internet. He has CTS on and off for years due to his profession and by the sound of things it is getting quite serious. Obviously it will have serious personal and professional consequences for him if the situation gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Anything involving hot and cold or any form of water is hydrotherapy. I think someone already answered the question in regards to the hot and cold showers being what they were speaking of. Liz Honeybourne [calypso] Friday, July 09, 2004 12:25 PM herbal remedies Re: Herbal Remedies - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Hello Angie, Would you mind telling me how the hypdrotherapy works ? The only thing I can think of immediately is having a jacuzzi in the Sports spa :-) How might one approach this method at home ? I looked up the file section but the only thing I can see which is remotely relate is an article written by the Doc under the Varicose Veins section on hot and cold therapy, it is not the same thing at all, is it ? My friend said his CTS starts from his fingers, along his arms and up, all the way to his shoulder blades. CTS seems to be afflicted more and more people these days, any ideas about holistic/herbal therapies would be of great value to all I am sure. Would appreciate much if you could look this up. Thanks, Cal herbal remedies , Angela Sill <angelasill> wrote: > Cal, > > Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the office and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to remember to look it up later when I get home. > > Blessings, > Angie Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and to prescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian Shillington Doctor of Naturopathy Dr.IanShillington --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I only get to study herbs on my time off, which isn’t much. So my input as far as herbal remedies is sparse. (I’m learning a whole lot more than giving advice) however what I AM learning about right now is massage. I am going to school for massage therapy and what I do know is that you can find a massage therapist…or maybe it’s a physical therapist….or both, that deal with CTS. I know for a fact that there a CTS classes that I can take once I have my certification so I’m sure that he could find someone to help him there. The cause of CTS in the first place is the carpal nerve being compressed between the radius and the ulna of the forearm. There are stretches they can teach you and manipulations that they can do (it’s really difficult, if not impossible to do on yourself) as well as helping loosen the surrounding areas that have been affected by the dysfunction to begin with. Hope this helps. Liz Sylvia [h10feet] Friday, July 09, 2004 12:44 PM herbal remedies Re: Herbal Remedies - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome i get CTS off and on in my right arm. I work (and play here ) on the computer 9+ hours daily. When i start having pain, i stop and stretch my arms and wrists. when int he shower, i focus the water on my wrists (both hot and cold) If your friend wants, he can get a flat tub (like the kind they use for pedicures) and stick as much of his arm in as possible from elbow to wrist) and do hot and then cold. Shower method is easier and less messy of course. Sylvia herbal remedies , " Honeybourne " <calypso@a...> wrote: > Hello Angie, > > Would you mind telling me how the hypdrotherapy works ? The only > thing I can think of immediately is having a jacuzzi in the Sports > spa :-) How might one approach this method at home ? > > I looked up the file section but the only thing I can see which is > remotely relate is an article written by the Doc under the Varicose > Veins section on hot and cold therapy, it is not the same thing at > all, is it ? > > My friend said his CTS starts from his fingers, along his arms and > up, all the way to his shoulder blades. > > CTS seems to be afflicted more and more people these days, any ideas > about holistic/herbal therapies would be of great value to all I am > sure. > > Would appreciate much if you could look this up. > > Thanks, > > Cal > > herbal remedies , Angela Sill <angelasill> > wrote: > > Cal, > > > > Instruct your friend to use a bit of hydrotherapy for the CTS. > Instructions are in the files I believe. This works well for many > pains and will also stimulate the circulation, which should help > tremendously. I do know some herbal therapies, but I am at the > office and do not have my reference books with me. I'll try to > remember to look it up later when I get home. > > > > Blessings, > > Angie Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and to prescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian Shillington Doctor of Naturopathy Dr.IanShillington --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I’ve heard that a lot of people who spend a lot of money and time and pain on surgery don’t have good results with it. I didn’t know that thoracic outlet could cause CT but that makes sense, huh, you learn something every day. Liz pixiepie2003 [pixiepie2003] Friday, July 09, 2004 2:33 PM herbal remedies Herbal Remedies - Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome I have been through the entire nine yards with carpal tunnel syndrome. Here is what worked for me: Most western medicine doctors have no idea how to diagnose, treat CT, so there are a lot of misdiagnoses (I had to go to 5 doctors--got different diagnosis each time, ranging from arthritis to lupus). I finally went to holistic people and found my answers. The pain was in the wrist, however, the probelm originated in the neck with what is called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or Double-Crush Syndrome. This is caused when people like me try to fit their body to the computer equipment, e.g. desk, chair, instead of making the equipment fit my body. There are OSHA standards for this. Poor posture, leaning forward, leaning on one elbow, crossing legs, sticking arm out window while driving, talking with phone crooked under neck while stirring pot over the stove -- all of this over time can contribute to the median nerve in the arm being cut off at the neck area. I would suggest Feldenkrais or the Alexander technique for your friend to learn how to sit in a healthy fashion so CT can clear up. Network chiropractic, deep tissue massage, vitmain B complex, elevating arms above heart to drain toxins, swimming laps (which really opens up the thoracic) -- all are good at alleviating symptoms. If your friend opts for surgery the first thing they will tell him in rehab is don't go back to your old job or you will have to go through symptoms all over again. I guess the one comfort in having gone through all this is that maybe I can help somebody else. Pix herbal remedies , " Honeybourne " <calypso@a...> wrote: > Hello group, > > I would like to ask for some help for information please for a dear > friend of mine who is not connected to the internet. He has CTS on > and off for years due to his profession and by the sound of things it > is getting quite serious. Obviously it will have serious personal > and professional consequences for him if the situation gets worse. > > What I have are messages dated 22 August and 20 November from last > year from Elizabeth (Massage Oil Formula) and Peaceful Glow > (Stretching exercise) relating to this subject in my files but I have > not been able to find other messages through the search archive > facility. I will be grateful for (1) any message references so that > I can look it up (2) any information which you may have to hands. If > the information you have is too bulky or repetitive for the list, I > would appreciate it if you could email it to me privately. > > Also I am looking at the suggestion for MSM, and I think I am > confusing this with DMSO. Which is the one I should be asking for > pharmaceutical grade in glass bottle ?? And what should be the > dosage ? > > With reference to Doc's BF & C formula. It is for internal use, > right ? How should one take this, and again what is the dosage ? > > Thank you ever so much for any information and suggestions you may > have on this subject. > > Cal Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and to prescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian Shillington Doctor of Naturopathy Dr.IanShillington --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Good Morning! Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when tendons or ligaments in the wrist become enlarged, often from inflammation, after being aggravated. The narrowed tunnel of bones and ligaments in the wrist pinches the nerves that reach the fingers and the muscles at the base of the thumb. The first symptoms usually appear at night. Symptoms range from a burning, tingling numbness in the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers, to difficulty gripping or making a fist, to dropping things. Some cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are due to work-related cumulative trauma of the wrist. Diseases or conditions that predispose to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome include pregnancy, diabetes, and obesity. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture; overactivity of the pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; mechanical problems in the wrist joint; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause; or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. In some cases no cause can be identified. There is some clinical data to prove that repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis. Writer's cramp - a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity - is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. Diagnosis Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve. A physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders, and neck can help determine if the patient's complaints are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder, and can rule out other painful conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. The wrist is examined for tenderness, swelling, warmth, and discoloration. Each finger should be tested for sensation, and the muscles at the base of the hand should be examined for strength and signs of atrophy. Routine laboratory tests and X-rays can reveal diabetes, arthritis, and fractures. Physicians can use specific tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In the Tinel test, the doctor taps on or presses on the median nerve in the patient's wrist. The test is positive when tingling in the fingers or a resultant shock-like sensation occurs. The Phalen, or wrist-flexion, test involves having the patient hold his or her forearms upright by pointing the fingers down and pressing the backs of the hands together. The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome is suggested if one or more symptoms, such as tingling or increasing numbness, is felt in the fingers within 1 minute. Doctors may also ask patients to try to make a movement that brings on symptoms. Often it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis by use of electrodiagnostic tests. In a nerve conduction study, electrodes are placed on the hand and wrist. Small electric shocks are applied and the speed with which nerves transmit impulses is measured. In electromyography, a fine needle is inserted into a muscle; electrical activity viewed on a screen can determine the severity of damage to the median nerve. Ultrasound imaging can show impaired movement of the median nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show the anatomy of the wrist but to date has not been especially useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Before surgery, you may want to consider other less invasive measures: Complete recovery can occur and we can avoid reinjury by changing the way we do repetitive movements, the frequency with which we do the movements, and the amount of time we rest between periods when they perform the movements. Exercise - Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. These exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being. Many activities outside of work may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome: knitting, sewing, or needlepoint; cooking and housework; TV computer games and home computer work; playing sports or cards; and hobbies or projects like carpentry or using power tools for extended periods of time. You should also take frequent breaks and examine the tools you use at home that could be causing strain on your hands. You may need to wear a wrist splint at night, while playing sports, or when working at home. The wrist splint assists in maintaining the wrist in a neutral or straight position and allows the wrist to rest. Consider these exercises: 1. Place the right palm at the wall, spreading your fingers equally. Extend your elbow and press the palm fully into the wall. Wait a few breaths and then turn your head to the left, bringing the tip of the right shoulder blade in towards the front of your body. Hold and breathe. 2. Bring your palms together in front of your chest in a prayer position stretching all the fingers fully. Relax your shoulders. Slowly stretch the heel of your palms down until they are the level of your wrists. If you can do this stretch without discomfort you can increase the stretch by moving the hands over to the right and holding for a few breaths. Repeat to the left. Stretch slowly and carefully, observing the sensations of your forearm and wrist. 3. Make fists of your hands and place them, thumb up, on the desk top . Support your lower arm on the desk. Slowly stretch the fist to the right, without moving your lower arm, and then to the left. Lift your arms off the desk top and make slow circles with your wrist, keeping your hands in closed fists. Circle both directions. Release your fingers and place them, tips up, on the edge of your desk. Press into the desk with the fingers. Try this first with the fingers together and then spread apart. 4. Place the index finger on the edge of your desk, keeping your wrists straight. Gently push into the desk and hold for a few breaths. Repeat with all the fingers except the thumb. 5. Place your right palm on the desk top with your wrist straight. Relax all your fingers. With your left hand slowly stretch the right thumb away from the forefinger. Hold for a few breaths and then release and do the other hand. 6. Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand-stand position. Hold for a count of 5. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers. Make a tight fist with both hands. Then bend both wrists down while keeping the fist. Hold for a count of 5. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers, for a count of 5. The exercise should be repeated 10 times. Then we should let our arms hang loosely at their side and shake them for a couple of seconds. Chiropractic - has shown to be effective for carpal tunnel syndrome. Accupuncture - has shown great results for those with carpal tunnel in some people. Carpal Tunnel and Yoga -By Angela Pirisi message #3501 in our community here, is something worth reading. Yoga has shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Surgery Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many patients require surgery on both hands. The following are types of carpal tunnel release surgery: Open release surgery: the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical considerations. Endoscopic surgery: may allow faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open release surgery. The surgeon makes two incisions (about ½ " each) in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen, and cuts the carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together). This two-portal endoscopic surgery, generally performed under local anesthesia, is effective and minimizes scarring and scar tenderness, if any. One-portal endoscopic surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is also available. Although symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery can take months. Some patients may have infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar. Occasionally the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut. Patients should undergo physical therapy after surgery to restore wrist strength. Some patients may need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery. Percutaneous balloon carpal tunnel-plasty: is an experimental technique that can ease carpal tunnel pain without cutting the carpal ligament. In this procedure, a ¼-inch cut is made at the base of the palm. The doctor then inserts a balloon through a catheter under the carpal ligament and inflates the balloon to stretch the ligament and free the nerve. Patients in one small study of pertucaneous balloon carpal tunnel-plasty reported relief of symptoms with no postoperative complications; most of them were back to work within 2 two weeks. This experimental technique is not yet widely available. Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. The majority of patients recover completely. To reduce the inflammation associated with CTS, one or more of the following fatty acids and herbal extracts may be taken: -Super GLA/DHA contains a balanced blend of essential fatty acids. Three softgels daily contain 450 mg of GLA from borage oil and 500 mg of DHA and 200 mg of EPA from marine lipid extract. Up to 6 softgels may be taken daily. -Mega EPA contains 400 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DHA in each softgel capsule. Up to 8 softgels may be taken daily for therapeutic purposes. -Boswella, one 300-mg capsule daily. -Curcumin (from the spice turmeric), 900-1800 mg daily. -Ginger extract, 1000 mg daily in capsule form. -Inflacin topical cream. The proper synergy of vitamins and minerals controls free-radical damage that increases pain and inflammation: -Gamma E Tocopherol/Tocotrienols (vitamin E), 1 softgel daily taken with food. -Vitamin B Complex, 3 capsules daily. This dose should provide at least 75 mg of vitamin B6 in the total daily dose. -Vitamin C, 2000 mg daily in divided doses. -Vitamin A, 10,000-25,000 IU daily. ***Pregnant women should only take vitamin A under medical supervision. -Vitamin D, 400 IU daily. -Selenium, 200 mcg daily. Protein-digesting enzymes such as protease, bromelain, trypsin, lipase, pancreatin, and papain have significant anti-inflammatory effects. One or more of the following nutrients may be considered: -Super Digestive Enzymes containing protease, lipase, cellulase, and amylase from pancreatin; 2 capsules at the beginning of each meal. -Bromelain Powder enhances protein absorption and turnover, including protein found in joint tissue. The suggested dosage is 1/8-1/4 tsp with each meal. -Papain Powder aids in protein digestion and repair. The suggested dosage is 1/8-1/4 tsp with each meal. -Magnesium is often deficient from the diet. It is important for arterial health and has a relaxing effect. -Magnesium also helps regulate calcium uptake in the body. The recommended dosage is 500 mg of elemental magnesium daily. -Phosphatidylserine (PS) improves neurotransmitter functioning and enhances the metabolism of cellular energy throughout the body. One 100-mg capsule daily is suggested. -D, L-phenylalanine will help boost endorphin levels. Endorphins are our body's natural painkillers. The suggested dose to achieve painkilling effects is 1500-3000 mg daily Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac. Peacefulmind.com Therapies for healing mind, body, spirit References: Atisook, R., Benjapibal, M., Sunsaneevithayakul, P., Roongpisuthipong, A. Carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy: prevalence and blood level of pyridoxine. J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 1995 Aug; 78(8): 410-4. Branco, K., Naeser, M.A. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical outcome after low level laser acupuncture, microamps, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and other alternative therapies?an open protocol study. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 1999 Feb; 5(1): 5-26. Dammers, J.W., Veering, M.M., Vermeulen, M. Injection with methylprednisolone proximal to the carpal tunnel: randomised double blind trial. Br. Med. J. 1999; 319: 884-6. Ellis, J., Folkers, K., Levy, M., Takemura, K., Shizukuishi, S., Ulrich, R., Harrison, P. Therapy with vitamin B6 with and without surgery for treatment of patients having the idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Res. Commun. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol. 1981 Aug; 33(2): 331- 44. Ellis, J., Folkers, K., Watanabe, T., Kaji, M., Saji, S., Caldwell, J.W., Temple, C.A., Wood, F.S. Clinical results of a cross over treatment with pyridoxine and placebo of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1979 Oct; 32 (10): 2040-6. Folkers, K., Ellis, J. Successful therapy with vitamin B6 and vitamin B2 of the carpal tunnel syndrome and the need for determination of the RDAs for vitamins B6 and B2 for disease states. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1990; 585: 295-301. Folkers, K., Wolaniuk, A., Vadhanavikit, S. Enzymology of the response of the carpal tunnel syndrome to riboflavin and to combined riboflavin and pyridoxine. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1984 Nov; 81 (22): 7076-8. Fuhr, J.E., Farrow, A., Nelson, H.S., Jr. Vitamin B6 levels in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch. Surg. 1989 Nov; 124 (11):1329-30. Kasdan, M.L., Janes, C. Carpal tunnel syndrome and vitamin B6. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 1987 March; 79(3): 456 62. Smith, K.J., Kapoor, R., Felts, P.A. Demyelination: the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Brain Pathol. 1999 Jan; 9(1): 69-92. Year Book: A New Diagnostic Test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Durkan- JA 1992 Year Book of Hand Surgery. Article 8-7. Original Article: J Bone Joint Surg. 1991. 73-A. pp 535-538. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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