How Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Acupuncture relate?
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What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is associated to the defect in nerve functionality. Symptoms may include tingling, numbness, loss of motor function, and sensation. Causes can be due to diabetes, Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other idiopathic conditions. And while there are nerve blocks, medications like neurotin, commonly known for its trade name, Gabapentin, and other conventional medical procedures are available - sometimes it doesn’t work.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The median nerve runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand. When it becomes squeezed or pressed carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms may arise. The median nerve and the tendons in this passageway at the base of the hand is essential to the sensation and movement of the fingers and hand. It affects the feeling of the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger of the palmar side of the hands and controls muscles at the base of the thumb.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A very commonly diagnosed condition in Silicon Valley tech world is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Some patients may be diagnosed with CTS when experiencing:
Gradual but frequent numbness and tingling into their fingers and hand especially in the first three fingers
Fingers swelling
Symptoms appearing in the night time
Dominant hand usually affected first
A desire to get up and shake out their hand or wrist
Symptoms worsen throughout the day
Aggravated by talking on the phone, texting, typing, reading a book, or driving
Hand weakness may also be another sign
Without treatment, the muscles at the bottom of the thumb may waste away.
Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Stretch! Taking frequent breaks and correcting one’s posture and wrist positioning at the desk are essential. Wearing a brace or fingerless gloves to help the hands stay warm and flexible may also be helpful. Ask your workplace for an ergonomics exam. Please note that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may be seen in other environments and not necessarily only occurring in the workplace.
Acupuncture and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome management
There are 12 main pathways in acupuncture that coincide with the circulatory, lymphatic, and neuronal pathways in our body. Utilizing the points on these pathways as well as specific pain points associated with the biomechanics are part of an acupuncture treatment. Research shows acupuncture work on the endogenous pain control systems and cerebral plasticity to relieve pain with no known serious side effects. Acupuncture is a known non-pharmacological modality that can be utilized to treat and reduce Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms. The acupuncture pathway that is often utilize for CTS is the pathway traveling along the medial aspect of the forearm, also known as the Pericardium Channel. This channel goes along the line of the forearm and acupuncture points that are very close to the median nerve. A popular acupuncture point is one at the base of the wrist, called pericardium channel (PC) 7.
Other ways we can help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may be treated includes using cupping, gua sha or scraping, as well as massage therapy. Figuring out which modality to use is dependent on what your manifested symptoms are. Want to see how we can help?
Citations
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet
Coutaux A. Non-pharmacological treatments for pain relief: TENS and acupuncture. Joint Bone Spine. 2017 Dec;84(6):657-661. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2017.02.005. Epub 2017 Feb 20. PMID: 28219657.
Dimitrova A, Murchison C, Oken B. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Mar;23(3):164-179. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0155. Epub 2017 Jan 23. PMID: 28112552; PMCID: PMC5359694.