Herbal and Nutritional Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Inflamed Ulnar Nerve

Over two years ago I experienced tingling and numbness in my right hand. At times the pain was so restrictive I could not move my hand and at other times there was a prickly sensation as if my hand had "fallen asleep" and I could not regain the proper feeling or use. The surgeon who examined me was talking about surgery so I was going to do my homework first. The thought of surgery spurred me on to find out more and though I was diagnosed with an inflamed ulnar nerve, the research I did kept leading me to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgery?

If surgery scares you as much as it does me you might appreciate a little background information before going under the knife. Not to say that surgeons don't win my respect. They do. I just would rather try alternative remedies first.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Defined

I hardly go a day without consulting The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. I've found a host of helpful advice and love sharing it with others. He defines carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as the "compression of the nerve that passes through the "tunnel" formed by the wrist bones."

I couldn't do my job!

No wonder my search brought me here. I worked in retail when I first experienced it and could not lift the cases of products nor change my price gun and a variety of other duties I needed to perform. Even picking up coins to make change or count the drawers down was near impossible.  I was afraid of losing my job because of my inability to perform simple required tasks. My hand felt like it was swollen, but there was nothing visible.

The Splint or Brace

I was required to wear an arm brace which caused me to get a heat rash. Even though I realized that my diagnosis was different, perhaps I could find something to help me in the information I unearthed.

Helpful Exercise

One of the first things I did was to create my own stress ball. I would squeeze this ball every time I got the chance to. The soft squishy ball was beneficial in improving the circulation in my hand and relieving the pins and needles feeling I had been experiencing. When I started my new job in 2007 I took one to work with me and soon was making them for all my co-workers. Find the directions at:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2280746_stress-ball.html

My stress ball by Judy Sheldon

Dr. Duke recommends using Chinese balls, and I am thinking about purchasing those too.

What could it hurt ? And they might be quite useful.

Turmeric is my Personal Favorite

I've also found turmeric has been absolutely wonderful for the pain. http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Turmeric-TKOs-Motrin.129692

It is a powerful anti-inflammatory fortunately, all natural, unlike the medical alternatives.

Biotin - This is one of the nutrients that work in conjunction with Vitamin B 6 and Riboflavin. It is recommended to take 300 micrograms daily.

Bromelain- The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs recommends this powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme found in pineapples and states that taken with Vitamin B 6 and Turmeric the combination has been found to be "very effective in treating the inflammation and any resulting pain." Bromelain is found naturally in pineapple.

Capsicum - Found in hot peppers and a number of commercial salves, this has been widely used to treat pain. Steep a few peppers in two pints of rubbing alcohol for a few days. Dr. Duke warns of touching your eyes after handling peppers. You should always wash hands thoroughly after handling peppers or commercial salves as it will burn the eyes.

Chamomile tea is one of the best teas to soothe the nerves, so if your CTS is related to stress, there are several compounds found in a nice cup of chamomile tea known to calm the nerves.

Comfrey applied directly to the area can relieve pain, swelling and inflammation.  Added to your favorite lotion, lavender oil or olive oil this makes an excellent topical cream. The active compounds are allantoin and rosmarinic acid.

Cumin contains three pain relieving compounds, seven anti-inflammatory and four that reduce swelling. Add it to your meats or rice dishes.

Proteolytic enzymes - Found in pineapple, papaya and ginger.

Riboflavin - This is a necessary nutrient that aids in the use of Vitamin B6

Sage- Dr. Duke and Dr. Beckstrom-Sternberg identified six anti-inflammatory compounds in sage. Sage can be brewed as a tea, added to stuffing and used on a host of other foods.

Vitamin B6 - This vitamin is found in cauliflower, watercress, spinach, bananas, avocados, and okra and is important to healthy nerve tissue and circulation. According to Dr. John Marion Ellis, M.D., a family practitioner who has done extensive study on Vitamin B6 "about 90% of cases can be cured by vitamin B 6."

Prevention's Healing with Vitamins recommends consulting with a physician prior to taking more than 100 mgs. of Vitamin B6 daily. It is also recommended to consult with your family doctor if you are taking levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Vitamin B-6 works as a diuretic helping to relieve the water pressure in the body, however in excessive amounts this vitamin can cause damage to the central nervous system, so it wise to be tested for a deficiency prior to taking a supplement and to follow your doctor's recommendations.

Willow bark - Before there was aspirin, there was willow bark. Steep this herb (Willow bark), meadowsweet or wintergreen in hot water to make a pain relieving tea. They all contain natural salicylates. Add lemon to the tea to mask the bitter taste and drink three cups a day.

If you are allergic to aspirin, you will probably be allergic to these herbs.  If so forego this remedy.

Causes

• • Repetitive movements (such as factory or computer work)
  • Salt (water retention) contributes to the swelling
  • Hormonal changes
  • Birth control
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Excessive drinking (depletes the body of B Vitamins among others)
  • Stress injuries

Never would I recommend to go against your doctor's advice, nor do I claim to be medically trained. The research that I do is offered to the reader merely as background information to be discussed with the family care physician in the hopes of bringing relief. It is my hope that no one would experience any unnecessary pain  or suffering but would be able to live life to the fullest.

If interested, you can find more of my content at seeds for thought. Take care and stay well!