Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Advice
May 3rd, 2010 | Published in RSI Tips | 2 Comments | Tags: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dr. Peter Gott, a nationally-syndicated health columnist, has some solid advice for a reader suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain, and asking if there’s anything short of surgery that can be done:
Those with mild symptoms may need only to take frequent breaks to rest their hands and/or apply cold packs to reduce occasional swelling. As symptoms increase or if these techniques fail to provide relief, wrist splinting such as you have used is an appropriate next step. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may offer relief by reducing swelling and pain. A final option is corticosteroid injections directly into the wrist to decrease inflammation. If the CTS is caused by an underlying health condition, treating that condition may result in lessened CTS symptoms.
The last resort is surgery, which does not work for everyone; however, about 70 percent of those who have undergone the carpal-tunnel-release procedure say they are completely or very satisfied with their results. Some may experience residual pain, numbness or weakness.
Speak with your physician regarding further treatment options, or request a referral to a specialist who can better help you.
Read more from The Spokesman-Review: Carpal tunnel treatments have uneven results
May 7th, 2010 at 2:18 pm (#)
Hello,
I appreciate this article and have high regard for Dr. Gott. However, his advice in this article follows the thoughts of most conventional medical doctors. He looks at the wrist (where the symptoms are) as the area that is causing the carpal tunnel symptoms (except where he indicated an underlying health condition as a cause.)
The reality is there are many places in the body which cause carpal tunnel type symptoms or pain in your hand and wrist. That means the cause may very well be elsewhere. The “elsewhere” needs to be addressed. Muscles are the most common cause of carpal tunnel pain and the good news is muscles can be treated–naturally.
Good site! Thank you.
Kathryn
July 1st, 2010 at 5:48 pm (#)
is it possible for carpal tunnel to travel up your arms and to your shoulders? I have had a nagging on my lower shoulder stats started with my wrist and has worked its way up. Blame too much time in a cubicle and not enough time outside and doing more natural type of movement.