Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Guide

...and Repetitive Strain Injury

Do you get a sharp pain, aching and tingling in your wrist, arm and hand?

Read this Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Guide. Find out how natural health remedies can help with alternative pain relief ...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, sadly, becoming more and more common in these modern days of intense computer work - keyboard and mouse.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a type of R.S.I. (Repetitive Strain Injury).

• typists
• computer workers
• pianists
• hairdressers
• needleworkers
• carpenters
• food service staff
• dairy farmers
• pregnant women
• menopausal women
• premenstrual women
• women taking oral contraceptives
• people with an under-active thyroid

Symptoms

• If you have any symptoms of R.S.I. or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it is important to visit a doctor for a diagnosis, before trying any of the alternative Carpal Tunnel pain relief treatments available.
• Common symptoms of R.S.I. and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are:
  • numbness
  • tingling
  • pain
  • weakness
  • these symptoms are especially in the wrist, thumb and first 2 fingers
  • shooting pains in the arm
  • pain when trying to grip
  • most painful at night
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the bones and ligaments of the wrist repeatedly pushing on the main wrist nerve.
• The persistent pressing on the nerve causes the tissues around the nerve to swell, and become painful and inflamed.

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Rest, or change of duties is the ideal treatment for permanent Carpal Tunnel pain relief.
• However, in the modern world, both conventional and holistic practitioners do recognise that this will rarely be possible.

Conventional Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief

Conventional treatment for Carpal Tunnel may include:

• Anti Inflammatory Drugs:
  • These reduce the inflammation to reduce the pain.
  • Side effects include:
    • stomach upset
    • stomach ulcers and bleeding
    • constipation
    • kidney and liver damage
    • heartburn and acid reflux
    • dizziness
• Diuretics:
  • These help to relieve swelling in the hand and wrist.
  • Side effects include:
    • heart problems
    • low blood pressure
    • blood sugar problems
    • bowel problems
• Steroid injections:
  • This helps to reduce inflammation.
  • Side effects include:
    • weakened bones
    • weight gain
    • high blood pressure
    • problems with blood sugar
    • problems with appetite
    • indigestion
    • insomnia and restlessness
    • mood swings
    • lowered immune response
• None of these treatments are a permanent cure, but will give a degree of Carpal Tunnel pain relief.
• Doctors may also:
  • recommend a splint or wrist brace to take the pressure off the nerve
  • advise surgery on the wrist

Holistic Pain Relief for Carpal Tunnel and R.S.I.

There is actually much you can do yourself to achieve effective Carpal Tunnel pain relief, even if complete rest or a change of duties is out of the question:

Exercise Program
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Hydrotherapy
Osteopathy
Diet and Supplements
Lifestyle Changes
Herbal Remedies
Magnet Therapy

Exercise Program

• If you can’t avoid the tasks that aggravate your symptoms completely, try to make sure that you take regular breaks.
• Do some stretching exercises:
  • Rest your forearm on a flat surface in front of you
  • Gently pull your fingertips towards you, with your other hand
  • Hold for a few seconds
• Get more information about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and videos of stretching exercises for natural pain relief…

  Simply click on an image to start the video player…

  
  
  
  
  
  
• You might also want to consult a physiotherapist who can devise tailor made exercises, appropriate for your precise condition.

Return to the list of holistic remedies

Acupuncture and Acupressure

• Both Acupuncture and Acupressure can help to relieve the pain and swelling of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• If the tasks which brought about your R.S.I. and Carpal Tunnel problems are still ongoing, you should also make appointments for regular appointments with a qualified acupuncturist.
• Your practitioner may be able to show you acupressure points you can massage yourself, to help with your Carpal Tunnel pain relief.

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Hydrotherapy

• Try ice packs for instant relief for severe pain.
• Alternate hot and cold compresses while you are working, throughout the day. (Soak a cloth in hot or cold water, wring out and apply for a few minutes).
• Try relaxing hot compresses to relax and soothe the pain at night.

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Osteopathy

• Professional massage and manipulation to the hand, wrist and arm, can help to keep the muscles relaxed and the joint correctly aligned and supple.
• This can help to keep the swelling down, and minimise damage to the joint.
• Always consult a qualified osteopath.

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Diet and Supplements

• Deficiencies in certain nutrients can increase your risk of developing R.S.I. or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• This particularly affects whether you are prone to build up of fluid and swelling – which means you may be more likely to have Carpal Tunnel and problems with R.S.I.
• Vitamin B6:
  • Eat more foods high in Vitamin B6:
    • wholegrains, in bread and cereal
    • wheatgerm
    • liver
    • fish
    • nuts
    • bananas
    • yeast extract
  • Take supplements:
    • High doses are sometimes necessary for effective Carpal Tunnel pain relief treatment.
    • If you want to try Vitamin B6 supplements as a treatment, consult your doctor for advice on the dosage to take, as high doses can be toxic.
• Vitamin C:
  • Vitamin C is used by the body for repairing tissues and reducing inflammation. This is why it is such a useful Carpal Tunnel pain relief treatment.
  • A typical dose for treating Carpal Tunnel syndrome would be up to 1000mg three times a day.
  • Caution: High doses of Vitamin C may cause slight stomach upset and diarrhea. If this happens, reduce your dosage slightly.

  Try these: (click below for more info)…

  
  Vitamin C 1000 mg w/Bioflavonoids (International Shipping)

• Grapeseed Extract:
  • This helps to prevent swelling and inflammation and can be taken daily.

  Try this: (click below for more info)…

  
  Grapeseed Extract 60 mg. (International Shipping)

• Bromelain:
  • This also helps to reduce or prevent inflammation and swelling.
  • It is highly recommended for Carpal Tunnel pain relief – but particularly so if you are to have surgery for your Carpal Tunnel problem – it reduces inflammation and swelling after the surgery to speed up healing.
  • Take capsules, or eat more fresh pineapple (where it occurs naturally)

  Try this: (click below for more info)…

  
  Nat. Pineapple Bromelain 500 mg (International Shipping)

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Lifestyle Changes

• Wearing a wrist splint or a wrist brace may help to support the wrist and hand, and reduce pressure on the nerve.









• See if your job can be done a slightly different way, so that the movement which aggravates your wrist, is no longer involved.
• Could additional pieces of equipment be provided, to make your task less damaging?
• Your employer may be able to help you with these points.
• Try dangling your arm out of the side of the bed at night.
• Relax and de-stress:
  • Stress and tension in your muscles will lead to you holding your arm and hand awkwardly, so causing further damage to the joint.
  • Being stressed will also increase your perception of, and response to pain, whereas being relaxed makes you feel pain less.

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Herbal Remedies

Try taking the following herbs internally for effective Carpal Tunnel pain relief over the longer term:

• Turmeric:
  • This helps to reduce inflammation
  • Take capsules, or use 1 teaspoon daily, of the kitchen spice, in your food.

  Try this: (click below for more info)…

  
  Turmeric Power (International Shipping)

For external Carpal Tunnel pain relief try a lotion of:

• St John’s Wort:
  • This helps to prevent inflammation, and is very good for nerves, and the nervous system.

  Try this: (click below for more info)…

  
  St. John''s Wort Oil 1 oz: K

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Magnet Therapy

• Magnetic therapy bracelets can help the body to repair all kinds of damage to joints and tissues.
• By helping the body to heal itself faster, these healing magnets really do help to reduce pain.
• Find out more about using magnets for health, here or visit my webshop to see the magnetic products I use myself, and recommend.

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Try some, or all, of these natural Carpal Tunnel pain relief treatments. For permanent solutions, rest and new ways of performing the repetitive task, will be your best options – but stretching exercises, and the holistic pain relief options here, will make working round the repetitive tasks so much easier and less painful.

What worked for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to share? Tell us about your experiences...

Look at herbal pain relief and other holistic pain relief treatments for more ideas.

Find out more about how pain works - and why alternative pain relief treatments work best.

Return to the main page for the Widespread and Topical Pain Relief Guide

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