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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,

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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

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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

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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.

 

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Guest guest

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

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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

>

>

> *

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Guest guest

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.

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Guest guest

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Guest guest

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release 7/5/2004

 

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Guest guest

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

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  • 1 year later...

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.

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