Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Holistic)

About This Condition

Halt the hurting in your hands and wrists so you can get back to feeling well while you work. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Add vitamin B6 to the mix
Soothe symptoms by taking 300 mg a day for no more than three months straight, and 50 to 100 mg per day after that
Slip on a splint
Reduce irritation by wearing a special wrist brace designed for carpal tunnel syndrome; use it during working hours and at night
Consider chiropractic care and physical therapy
Consult a qualified practitioner for manipulative, soft tissue, and other therapies to reduce symptoms and improve function

About

About This Condition

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition characterized by pain, tingling, and numbness in the fingers and hand, sometimes radiating up into the elbow.

The painful sensations of CTS are caused by compression of the median nerve in the tunnel of bones in the wrist. In many cases, the condition results from long-term repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, such as from computer use. Although repetitive motion is often a culprit, it does not explain the frequent occurrence of CTS with non-motion-related conditions, such as pregnancy.

Symptoms

Symptoms of CTS include recurrent numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in one or both hands in a characteristic location defined by the median nerve, which is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms are usually worse at night and after prolonged use of the hands. Some people may experience clumsiness in handling objects, with a tendency to drop things, and may also have a decreased ability to feel hot and cold.

Holistic Options

Acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of CTS. In a preliminary trial, people with CTS (some of whom had previously undergone surgery) received either acupuncture or electro-acupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation). Eighty-three percent of the participants in this trial experienced complete relief that lasted through two to eight years of follow-up.¹ After reviewing all available scientific literature on the topic, a consensus conference convened in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture for CTS “may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.”²

Manipulative procedures may have a role in treating CTS by decreasing symptoms and improving function. A type of stretching treatment called myofascial release improved the symptoms of a patient with CTS in one published case report,³ and similar treatments combined with specific wrist manipulations and self stretches were further tested in a small, preliminary trial.⁴ Participants in this study experienced a decrease in pain, numbness, and weakness, and their nerve function improved as well.

A small, preliminary trial assessed a chiropractic treatment program consisting of exercises, soft tissue therapy, and manipulation of the wrist, the upper extremity, the spine, and the ribs.⁵ The treatment resulted in improvement in grip and thumb strength, muscle function, flexibility, and overall function, as well as a decrease in pain among people with CTS. In a follow-up study six months later, most of the improvement had been maintained.⁶A controlled clinical trial compared traditional medical and chiropractic care for CTS.⁷ People with CTS received either standard medical care (ibuprofen and nighttime wrist supports) or chiropractic care (manipulation of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, and spine, as well as massage to the soft tissues). Ultrasound and nighttime splints were also used in the chiropractic treatments. People in both groups improved significantly and similarly in terms of pain reduction, increased function, and improved finger sensation and nerve function, but the chiropractic group reported fewer side effects.

Supplements

What Are Star Ratings?

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Supplement	Why
2 Stars Vitamin B6 100 to 300 mg daily for no more than three months; 50 to 100 mg daily after that	Vitamin B6 deficiency is common in people with carpal tunnel syndrome, supplementing with the vitamin has reportedly relieved symptoms. Some, but not all, studies have found vitamin B6 deficiency to be common in people with CTS. Supplementation with vitamin B6 has reportedly relieved the symptoms of CTS, but some researchers have not found this treatment to be beneficial. Several studies report that people with CTS are helped when given 100 mg of vitamin B6 three times per day. Although some researchers have found benefits with lesser amounts, using less than 100 mg taken three times per day for several months has often failed. Most doctors assume that people with CTS who respond to vitamin B6 supplementation do so because of an underlying deficiency. However, at least one group of researchers has found vitamin B6 to “dramatically” reduce pain in people with CTS who did not appear to be B6-deficient. Some doctors believe that B6 is therapeutic because it reduces swelling around the carpal tunnel in the wrist; this theory remains completely undocumented. Very high levels of vitamin B6 can damage sensory nerves, leading to numbness in the hands and feet as well as difficulty in walking; supplementation should be stopped if these symptoms develop after beginning vitamin B6 supplementation. Vitamin B6 is usually safe in amounts of 200 to 500 mg per day, although occasional problems have been reported in this range. Higher amounts are clearly toxic. Any adult taking more than 200 mg of vitamin B6 per day for more than a few months should consult a doctor. In order to be effective, vitamin B6 must be transformed in the body to pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP). Some doctors have suggested that people who do not respond well to vitamin B6 supplements should try 50 mg of PLP three times per day. There is no clear evidence that using PLP provides any advantage in reducing symptoms of CTS.

Supplement

Why

2 Stars

Vitamin B6

100 to 300 mg daily for no more than three months; 50 to 100 mg daily after that

Vitamin B6 deficiency is common in people with carpal tunnel syndrome, supplementing with the vitamin has reportedly relieved symptoms.

Some, but not all, studies have found vitamin B6 deficiency to be common in people with CTS. Supplementation with vitamin B6 has reportedly relieved the symptoms of CTS, but some researchers have not found this treatment to be beneficial.

Several studies report that people with CTS are helped when given 100 mg of vitamin B6 three times per day. Although some researchers have found benefits with lesser amounts, using less than 100 mg taken three times per day for several months has often failed. Most doctors assume that people with CTS who respond to vitamin B6 supplementation do so because of an underlying deficiency. However, at least one group of researchers has found vitamin B6 to “dramatically” reduce pain in people with CTS who did not appear to be B6-deficient. Some doctors believe that B6 is therapeutic because it reduces swelling around the carpal tunnel in the wrist; this theory remains completely undocumented.

Very high levels of vitamin B6 can damage sensory nerves, leading to numbness in the hands and feet as well as difficulty in walking; supplementation should be stopped if these symptoms develop after beginning vitamin B6 supplementation. Vitamin B6 is usually safe in amounts of 200 to 500 mg per day, although occasional problems have been reported in this range. Higher amounts are clearly toxic. Any adult taking more than 200 mg of vitamin B6 per day for more than a few months should consult a doctor.

In order to be effective, vitamin B6 must be transformed in the body to pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP). Some doctors have suggested that people who do not respond well to vitamin B6 supplements should try 50 mg of PLP three times per day. There is no clear evidence that using PLP provides any advantage in reducing symptoms of CTS.

References

1. Chen GS. The effect of acupuncture treatment on carpal tunnel syndrome. Am J Acup 1990;18:5-9.

2. NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA 1998;280:1518-24.

3. Sucher BM. Myofascial release of carpal tunnel syndrome. J Am Osteopathic Assoc 1993;93:92-101.

4. Sucher BM. Palpatory diagnosis and manipulative management of carpal tunnel syndrome. J Am Osteopathic Assoc 1994;94:647-63.

5. Bonebrake AR, Fernandez JE, Marley RJ, et al. A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: evaluation of objective and subjective measures. J Manip Physiol Ther 1990;13:507-20.

6. Bonebrake AR, Fernandez JE, Dahalan JB, et al. A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: results of a follow-up study. J Manip Physiol Ther 1993;16:125-39.

7. Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, et al. Comparative efficacy of conservative and chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1998;21:317-26.

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Last Review: 06-08-2015

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2022.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Holistic)

About This Condition

About

About This Condition

Symptoms

Holistic Options

Supplements

References

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