Acupuncture for carpal tunnel
Numb, tingling fingers, and a hand that wakes you at night. Carpal tunnel often responds well to acupuncture, long before surgery is on the table.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist, causing numbness, tingling and pain in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
It's often driven by repetitive wrist use and tight forearm tissue. Acupuncture eases the compression and calms the nerve. Many people try it well before they consider surgery.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This page isn't a diagnosis. Your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
It works on three layers at once: local, segmental, and central. We choose the points for what your body is asking for.
From first visit to plan
Every patient moves through the same unhurried four steps. The first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index, middle fingers, and part of the ring finger, and controls some hand muscles. The most distinguishing symptoms involved in CTS include numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers (but not the pinky). In addition, patients may also experience weakness in the hand or difficulty gripping objects. They may also experience pain that may radiate up the arm, with all symptoms often worsening at night or with repetitive hand/wrist activities.
The causes of CTS are varied, but may include any of the following:
- Repetitive hand or wrist motions (e.g. typing, assembly work).
- Wrist anatomy variations or swelling due to injury.
- Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or hypothyroidism.
- Pregnancy-related fluid retention.
Conventional treatment of CTS includes wrist splinting during the day or at night, activity modification to reduce repetitive stress, and anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections. For certain serious cases, surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve may be recommended.
Along with any measures as directed by your GP or primary health care provider, acupuncture can help decrease the symptoms most commonly experienced by CTS patients and aid in your recovery.