How Can I Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Naturally?

Do you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome? If so, you know the pain it can cause. From tingling and numbness to shooting pains up and down your arm, this medical condition can be debilitating and make everyday activities uncomfortable or even impossible. But don’t worry – there are natural treatments available that can help alleviate the discomfort associated with this condition without having to resort to injections or  surgeries.

At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, we frequently provide relief to patients with chronic carpal tunnel syndrome at our North Jersey offices. It’s an important mission of our practice to offer patients the most effective natural ways of treating carpal tunnel syndrome, which we outline below. With offices in Oakland, Wayne, Fair Lawn and Closter, Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy welcomes patients from North Jersey and the New York City region for effective natural carpal tunnel syndrome treatments that are both natural and non-invasive.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome and what are its symptoms?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common medical condition marked by compressions of the median nerve of the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands, fingers, and wrists, especially at night. This condition is caused by a variety of factors such as repetitive motion or pressure on the carpal tunnel. But it can also be caused by physical conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, and fractures or dislocations in the carpal bones in the wrist.

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is usually made through diagnostic tests that give information about the carpal bones or muscles near them. Treatment may involve non-surgical options such as resting your wrists for extended periods of time or wearing a splint overnight to alleviate pressure on your carpal tunnel. In many cases, however, doctors will recommend surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:

• Tingling or numbness in the hand
• Pain in the hand, arm, or shoulder
• Weakness in the hand
• Difficulty gripping things
• Burning or aching sensation in the hand
• Swelling of the hands and wrists

How is carpal tunnel typically treated?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful chronic condition that can cause numbness and tingling in the wrist and hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome has become exceedingly more common as more of the work we do revolves around hours spent using phones and keyboards. This long-term repetitive hand movement makes those who work on computers all day at a much greater risk of experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment for carpal tunnel typically begins with non-surgical therapies, such as lifestyle changes and splinting to protect the wrist. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed by a physician. When these treatments fail to provide adequate pain relief or functional improvement, carpal tunnel release surgery may be recommended by a general practitioner doctor. Traditional doctors often use corticosteroid injections and/or surgery as carpal tunnel treatments. Surgery involves cutting of the carpal ligament to reduce pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.

What are the downsides of traditional medical interventions for carpal tunnel?

If you visit your family doctor or an orthopedic surgeon for carpal tunnel syndrome, you may find it is often treated using medical interventions such as corticosteroid injections and surgery. While these treatments may provide temporary relief from carpal tunnel symptoms, they do not always address the underlying causes of carpal tunnel. Additionally, there are notable downsides to these traditional medical interventions.

Injections provide only a brief reprieve but do not promise any long-term resolution for the chronic condition. This means you may find yourself having to continuously go back for more injections. In addition, corticosteroid injections can come with their own set of side effects, including weight gain, mood swings including irritability and puffiness of the face. These injections can also cause blood sugar complications for those with diabetes.

Surgery should be seen as a last resort due to its potential consequences, which can include scarring, weakening of the ligament around the carpal tunnel and the possibility that carpal tunnel symptoms will eventually return. Ultimately, carpal tunnel patients facing traditional treatment should weigh their options before making an informed decision about their course of action.

How Can You Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Naturally?

The good news is there are other therapies beyond injections and surgery that are natural and do not carry the same risks or side effects. These include chiropractic care, physical therapy exercises to strengthen the wrist, stretch muscles, or improve posture, occupational therapy to learn strategies for protecting the hands from injury during everyday activities and acupuncture which has been found to help provide relief in some cases.

Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel

Here at Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our group of highly-trained chiropractors offer one of the most effective ways to naturally treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Here, we use cutting edge, holistic, and non-invasive methods designed to help the body to heal itself.

For example, many carpal tunnel patients also have underlying neck or back issues. We  address these problems which often provide further relief from carpal tunnel related symptoms. Consider consulting a chiropractor for carpal tunnel related pain for improved results and fewer unpleasant side effects than most traditional treatments.

Physical Therapy

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal area of the wrist. To naturally treat carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy can be extremely effective. A qualified physical therapist will advise and guide you in performing specific exercises that can help reduce pressure and nerve irritation as well as strengthen muscles to improve carpal tunnel symptoms. With consistent practice and guidance from your physical therapist, you can achieve lasting relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Here at Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our team of highly-trained physical therapists don’t just provide therapeutic exercises that help to strengthen and stretch the region for pain relief. We also offer occupational therapy that teaches you how to work more comfortably in ways that promote healing, rather than additional wrist strain.

Acupuncture

Many people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome are turning towards natural remedies involving acupuncture to reduce pain and discomfort. Acupuncture involves placing thin needles into various parts of the body, depending on the specific condition being treated. When it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome specifically, one common practice is placing the needles in areas near the elbow, wrist and thumb. Doing so can help to release lactic acid and other muscular wastes that build up and lead to inflammation of the carpal tunnel.

Additionally, acupuncture helps reduce pressure on the median nerve that travels through carpal tunnel, helping relieve associated symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand or wrist. At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, we offer acupuncture as well as chiropractic and physical therapy to give patients the convenience of all-in-one, comprehensive care.

Wrist Braces

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be an incredibly disruptive condition, and treating the cause of painful symptoms is paramount. One great way to naturally restore comfort and functionality in your hands and arms is through the use of wrist braces. By using a brace nightly throughout the duration of carpal tunnel syndrome, you can help relax your carpal ligament which lies beneath the carpal bones. Since this condition is caused by compression of the carpal ligament and associated anatomical components, this simple natural technique could prove to be invaluable in curbing carpal tunnel pain or even helping to prevent the condition from starting.

Ways to Help Prevent Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an increasingly common condition due to rising rates of repetitive motion tasks. It can cause a range of symptoms including pain and weakness in the wrists, hands, and fingers. There are several ways to help prevent carpal tunnel and the subsequent discomfort it brings:

• Taking frequent breaks while performing work that requires frequent use of the wrist and hand. Experts recommend taking a break every 20 minutes or so during extended periods of typing or mouse activity.
• Stretches done throughout the day can help strengthen the carpal tunnel area allowing for better mobility.
• Finally, pay attention to good ergonomics when setting up any workspace as correct positioning with chairs, keyboards, and monitors helps reduce stress on joints in your arms and hands.

Implementing these preventative measures and lifestyle changes should help those at risk for carpal tunnel have fewer flare-ups from their condition.

Looking for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief in North Jersey?

Book a consultation with the Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy team who can help you find relief from the pain and disruption of carpal tunnel syndrome. With chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture services available all in one practice, we provide convenient therapies for patients seeking a natural alternative to surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in North Jersey and the New York City suburbs.