Can Acupuncture Help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness, often linked to repetitive wrist movements, obesity, or pregnancy. CTS can significantly impact daily activities. As a result, acupuncture has emerged as one of the options for alleviating symptoms. This article explores the effectiveness of acupuncture for wrist pain relief. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects approximately 1-5% of the general population. 
  • Acupuncture has shown promising results in reducing symptoms associated with CTS, including pain and numbness. 
  • Research indicates that acupuncture can enhance the effectiveness of conservative treatments for CTS. 
  • Acupuncture addresses underlying imbalances in the body, offering long-term relief from wrist pain. 

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects many people, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers. It happens when the median nerve in the wrist gets squeezed or compressed as it travels through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve gives sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger, on the palmar side. Compression of the medial nerve will result in tingling or even numbness of these 3½ fingers. 

Understanding the causes, risk factors, and symptoms is important for managing this condition effectively. 

Causes and risk factors 

Repetitive wrist actions such as typing often lead to this issue. Other risks include health problems like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Being female or obese also raises the chances of getting it and addressing these risks is vital for effective treatment. 

Common symptoms and diagnosis 

Symptoms of CTS include pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and arm, which can interfere with daily tasks. Doctors will need to review the patient’s current and past medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination, to diagnose and assess the severity of the CTS. 

Conservative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome often starts with simple measures. Doctors commonly advise the patient to avoid repetitive stress by the use of wrist splints to keep the wrist still and reduce pressure on the nerve. Adjustments to your workspace ergonomics and posture can also help to reduce the pain and prevent the condition from worsening. 

Conservative approaches 

Using a wrist splint, especially at night, can effectively reduce symptoms. It keeps the wrist aligned and relieves nerve pressure. More importantly, the splint reminds patient to stop performing repetitive motions that caused the CTS. Small changes in your daily routine, like taking breaks and stretching, can also help manage pain without needing medical interventions. 

Acupuncture For CTS Pain Relief 

Acupuncture is an ancient practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. It focuses on balancing the body’s energy, known as “qi.” By inserting thin needles into specific acupoints, acupuncture aims to restore health and promote healing, addressing physical, emotional, and mental well-being. 

Principles of acupuncture 

Acupuncture is based on the idea of balancing the body’s energy, which flows through pathways called meridians. When these pathways are blocked, health issues can arise. Acupuncture aims to restore this balance by targeting specific points, encouraging the flow of qi and promoting natural healing. 

How acupuncture can help for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Acupuncture may help reduce carpal tunnel syndrome by improving blood flow to the wrist, which can reduce swelling and inflammation, resulting in pain relief. It targets specific acupoints that can also restore nerve function, leading to better hand movement and less tightness. Many people find that acupuncture helps manage their symptoms and improves their overall quality of life. 

Studies have shown improvements in symptoms like pain and numbness, with lasting benefits after treatment. Some findings indicate that acupuncture may restore nerve function by changing how the brain processes pain. A systematic review concluded that acupuncture is a safe option for those who do not respond well to conservative therapies. 

For those with mild to moderate CTS, acupuncture is a safe choice. It can help relieve pain when other conservative treatments are ineffective, encouraging the body to produce natural painkillers like endorphins. 

Benefits of Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

For those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Acupuncture can improve symptoms such as pain, numbness and function. During the session, thin needles are inserted into specific acupoints near the wrist, elbow and hand to stimulate the flow of Qi and promote healing.  

The benefits of acupuncture for CTS includes: 

  • Reduced pain and inflammation  
  • Improved hand function, with reduced numbness and tingling 
  • Promote overall well-being by addressing any underlying imbalances and support body’s natural healing processes 
  • Generally a safe procedure and well tolerated, without the use of medications. 

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment 

During your first visit, the doctor will conduct a thorough assessment by discussing your health history and assess your symptoms to determine the root cause of pain. The actual procedure involves inserting tiny, sterile needles into specific acupoints on your body, often around the wrist and hand. 

A typical course of acupuncture for carpal tunnel may involve several sessions over a few weeks. Depending on your response, you might attend once or twice a week.  

Each individual’s treatment plan may be different based on the medical history, severity of pain condition, and any other underlying causes.  

If your carpal tunnel syndrome is more severe, you may require other non-surgical treatments such as Coreflex Injections or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. 

Minimally Invasive Procedures for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Coreflex injections and PRP therapy 

There are several non-surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome that can help relieve symptoms without surgery. Two effective options are Coreflex injections and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. 

Coreflex injections deliver a mix of anti-inflammatory medications, local anesthetics, and muscle relaxants directly to the painful area. This targeted treatment reduces swelling and pain, addressing the main causes of carpal tunnel syndrome.  

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses the patient’s own blood to concentrate platelets that promote healing. By injecting this rich solution into the affected area, PRP therapy supports natural recovery and improves symptoms. 

If pain has been persistent (more than 3 months), not improving after conservative therapies and affecting your daily life functions, it is important to seek medical help to prevent the condition from worsening.  

It will be important to know that in severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, when they do not improve with the above treatment, may have to be referred to a hand surgeon for a carpal tunnel release. 

Conclusion 

Acupuncture presents a promising option for managing mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, especially for those seeking conservative treatments. Research supports its potential to reduce pain, numbness, and improve hand function. For severe cases, minimally invasive procedures such as coreflex injections and PRP can help to improve the pain symptoms, before we consider invasive procedures like a carpal tunnel release. 

DR+ Medical & Paincare Selegie 

Led by Dr. Seah Heap Yong, our Selegie GP clinic provides family medicine, chronic disease management, general paediatrics, men’s & women’s health, medical examinations (maid/employment permit/insurance/student pass), minor surgical procedures, health screening, acupuncture & pain treatments. 

Address: 35 Selegie Road, #03-02 Parklane Shopping Mall, Singapore 188307 

Contact number: +65 6338 3491