Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
Looking for alternative carpal tunnel relief? People seeking relief from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) often look to natural pain relief methods due to side effects of medications and risks of surgery. CTS is a condition that sometimes leads to surgery. Initial treatment often includes oral anti-inflammatory medication which have side effects. Patients with sensitivity to prednisone may feel they have no alternative solution to their symptoms of pain, numbness, and loss of motor function in the hand and wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Acupuncture Research
Research has proven acupuncture to be an effective, long term solution for mild to moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) symptoms. CTS is associated with measurable, physical changes in the body including a slowdown of nerve impulses traveling across the wrist, which can be detected by a test called EMG. They also experience destructive changes in the area of the brain that controls the sense of touch.
At a three-month follow-up, the acupuncture group reported sustained or continued improvement in functionality, as well as their symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling.
In a study conducted at Massachusetts General, researchers showed that the acupuncture group demonstrated improved nerve conduction at the wrist as well as significant brain remapping in the region of the brain associated with sensation in the wrist and fingers. Before and after MRI showed that some of the carpal tunnel related damage to their somatosensory cortexes of the brain had been partially repaired.
Acupuncture vs. Steroids for Carpal Tunnel Relief
In a 2009 study acupuncture was shown to be “as effective as short-term low-dose prednisolone [prednisone]. For those who do have an intolerance or contraindication for oral steroid or for those who do not opt for early surgery, acupuncture treatment provides an alternative choice.”
The acupuncture group fared slightly better than the prednisone group. Although both reported a reduction in most symptoms, the acupuncture group showed greater gains in nerve conduction tests. One interesting note: sleep improved in the acupuncture patients but did not in those patients receiving the steroid.
Specialized Acupuncture Carpal Tunnel Solutions
At Inner Light Wellness, you will receive researched acupuncture techniques demonstrated to provide 85% effectiveness. If you are looking for an alternative treatment before considering surgery, give us a call. We’d be happy to help.
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19590482
https://time.com/4690200/acupuncture-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/