Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common. It can cause severe pain in the arm and hand. In some cases it will require an operation, however this can be treated effectively with acupuncture to avoid an operation. In this article I will share with you why acupuncture can help carpal tunnel syndrome.

1. Symptoms

Symptoms that you may experience are; pain between the hand and wrist up until the elbow. The pain is a sharp pain with a burning sensation. Sometimes the pain can affect the shoulder and hand. Making the finger and palm numb and a tingling sensation. The severe pain can cause difficulties and interruptions in sleeping.

2. Causes

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a special diagnosis method to find out the cause of the pain. Through tongue and pulse diagnosis method. Generally there are six channels that flow through the arm which dominate the circulation and function of the shoulder, arm and hand. If any of these channels are blocked, it will affect the circulation and function possibly causing carpal tunnel. It is important to find out where the blockage is, and to clear it.

3. How do we find out where your blockage is?

When you come to our clinic, an experienced TCM practitioner will check your body through the traditional diagnosis method, such as pulse and tongue diagnosis. This will successfully find out what channel is obstructed, and then we will develop a treatment plan for you to help clear the blockages, rebuild your circulation and return function to normal. The treatment is dependent on your individual case such as; acupuncture or cupping or scrubbing or medication.

4. How to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome

While you are undergoing treatment we usually give you some suggestions about your lifestyle and diet to heal quickly and to avoid this happening again.

i) Avoid touching frozen cold things. Especially in the winter and cold days.

ii) Keep your neck and shoulders in a good condition and warm. In case you have a neck or shoulder pain or stiffness you should treat this also.

iii) It is important to move your hand and not to repetitive activities in one position.

iv) Reducing stress is also a means of preventing arm pain. Because some channels on the arm and shoulder are associated with the Heart, Gall Bladder and Liver directly and indirectly, these organs are easily damaged by emotional disturbances, thus there can be an effect on the circulation flowing through these channels to the arm.

v) While you are undergoing treatment, make sure you have good digestion, regular bowel movements, avoid eating frozen or cold foods.

5. Clinical case

A 70-year-old male, who had a very stressful job and is very busy, had the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for 7 weeks. The right forearm was extremely painful, pain radiating from the palms to the fingers with associated burning and numbness sensations.He also suffered from tightness and pain in his shoulder as well as constant headaches. The pain not only affected his activities during the day but also his sleep. His pulse was very taught and his tongue was very dark and bruised. I diagnosed him with blood clots stuck in his neck and shoulder as well as in his Gall Bladder and Heart channels. After three treatments of acupuncture and scrubbing, the channels were cleared and the symptoms disappeared.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, I hope you can get treatment in its early stage so that you can avoid having an operation.