Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Nancy
Posted on: October 17, 2003

Great as these computers are, I seem to be getting what I think is carpal tunnel syndrome. Do you know of any thing that would help?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes between the bones and ligaments of the wrist, commonly causing pain, weakness and tingling. It is most often found in people who perform repetitive work with their hands, like carpentry and typing.

To avoid carpal tunnel with excessive computer work, consult with your computer store about purchasing a hand rest that takes the strain off your wrists.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is found in 80% of those with carpal tunnel syndrome. The majority of these sufferers are women who are pregnant, menopausal or taking oral contraceptives, as these conditions increase the need for B6. Excessive protein, penicillin and some other drugs decrease the availability of B6. The recommended therapeutic dosage of B6 supplement is 100 to 200 grams daily, along with a high potency vitamin B complex supplement, which helps with your body’s absorption of B6. Ask your health food store to recommend good brands of these products. Some forms of B6 are more easily absorbed. Good food sources of B6 include whole grains, cabbage, spinach and legumes.

Magnesium deficiency may be a factor. Nuts, brown rice, apples and bananas are good sources. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and soft drinks, which cause excretion of magnesium from the body.,

Turmeric is often used in this condition for its anti-inflammatory property. You can take one teaspoon of the powder, mixed in water, once or twice daily. Better still, use turmeric as a spice in cooking, frying it very gently in a little butter, ghee or olive oil with a dash of cayenne pepper before adding your vegetables or meat. Turmeric is better absorbed by the body when heated in oil with cayenne. Additionally, a turmeric and water paste can be applied to your wrist and bound with bandage. Be careful, though, because turmeric stains a bright yellow.

A cold pack can be applied to reduce swelling: wrap a bag of frozen peas in a dish towel and place on the affected area.

Chiropractic work and acupuncture can be very effective. Find practitioners who have had excellent results with this syndrome.

It is useful to take herbs that help to move the healing blood flow into affected area, like prickly ash bark (Zanthoxylum clavaherculis) or a bit of cayenne, both of which move blood to the peripheral areas of the body. Horsechestnut seed (Aesculus hippocastanum) helps blood flow through the veins to draw out swelling.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.