Carpal tunnel syndrome is found most commonly in people who perform repetitive, strenuous work with their hands. Activities that have been associated with this condition include hammering, knitting, typing, and painting. It may also follow injuries of the wrist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women, particularly those who are pregnant, taking oral contraceptives or menopausal, and patients on dialysis. All these conditions are associated with an increased need for pyridoxine or vitamin B6.
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Determining the exact cause of Carpal tunnel syndrome can be difficult. Nevertheless, all known contributing factors (i.e., strenuous, repetitive use of the hands; excessive consumption of protein or foods high in yellow dyes) should be eliminated.
2. Placing the injured wrist in a splint can help to keep the joint straight and take pressure off the median nerve. It will also immobilize and rest the joint, which in itself may be beneficial. As a rule, remember to keep your hands and wrists as straight as possible. Avoid repeatedly flexing or extending the wrist as this increases the pressure on the nerve. Be sure that the splint you use fits the palm of your hand, allows your thumb and fingers to remain free, and isn’t too tight.
3. When the tingling beings, take a break and do a simple exercise by rotating your wrists. This uses all the muscles of the wrist, restores circulation, and gets your wrist out of the bent position. You may even want to raise your hands above your head and rotate your arms as well as your wrists. Rotating your neck slowly from side to side may also help to break up the stress that builds up with continuous, repetitive activity.
4. Symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome can be similar to osteoarthritis. Both of these conditions can be the result to hypothyroidism. (See “Hypothyroidism.”) Check your thyroid by measuring your basal body temperature. This is done by placing a thermometer under your arm for 10 minutes before arising from bed on two consecutive days. For menstruating women, this is best done at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. The average basal body temperature should be greater than 97.8 degrees. If not, a trial of natural thyroid should be considered.
5. Increase your Vitamin B6 intake. Usually 50-100 mg per day relieves all symptoms of the Carpal tunnel syndrome for patients with low levels of vitamin B6. You may want to gradually increase your dose, up to one gram per day, or until symptoms improve. Of course, anytime that you increase one B vitamin, you should insure that an adequate amount of the other B’s are taken as well. A B-complex supplement should suffice. However, keep in mind that it can take up to three months of oral supplementation before relief is obtained.
6. Proteolytic enzymes such as Bromelain have been found helpful in limiting the pain and edema associated with the inflammatory process of carpal tunnel syndrome. These should be taken between meals.
7. Herbal Turmeric also has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. It has been found to be as effective as cortisone in acute inflammation. Although it is less effective for chronic inflammation, it does not have the toxicity of cortisol.
8. Homeopathic preparations found to useful in this condition include: Rhus Toxicodendron (if pain is better with motion and warmth), Bryonia (if pain is worse with motion) or Ruta Graveolens (if pain is the result of injury to tendons and ligaments), Ferrum Phosphoricum (if inflammation is present), and Rhododendron (if pain is worse before a storm). The selected remedy should be tried in a low potency and taken frequently, and discontinued once symptoms begin to improve.
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