Carpal Tunnel syndrome is more than stiff fingers from spending the day in front of your laptop. Anyone can get that tight, achy feeling in their hands, wrists, and arms if they spend more time than usual in one position. But Carpal Tunnel goes well beyond a simple ache, and requires attention and treatment to heal. Acupuncture for carpal tunnel is a treatment option that can ease pain and inflammation and restore proper function to your hands and wrists. Here’s what you should know.

Is acupuncture effective for carpal tunnel?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that is more than 3,000 years old. There is a long, rich history of healing in this tradition. It is rooted in the energy lines of the body, known as meridians. Traditional Chinese medical doctors believe that when the flow of energy (Qi, pronounced “chee”) along these lines becomes blocked, injury or disease is the result.

While modern doctors may be skeptical about Qi, there is no denying that research is proving that acupuncture for all manner of pain conditions is safe, effective, and side effect- free. It is a powerful complementary medical practice that can be completed along with more traditional treatments without fear of interactions or complications.

What is carpal tunnel?

Carpal tunnel is a type of “entrapment neuropathy.” This simply means pain is caused by a pinched or compressed nerve.

In the case of carpal tunnel, the median nerve is the culprit. The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel in the wrist that opens up to allow nerves to pass through. Innervating the hands for movement as well as feeling, the median nerve starts at the inside of the forearm (near the elbow) and passes through this channel.

Because the carpal tunnel is so narrow, any swelling or inflammation there can put pressure on the median nerve.

But the problem can even begin higher up on the arm than that. Improper use, injury, or overuse can lead to inflammation along the shoulders and upper arms. This inflammation can then affect the median nerve, starting at the forearm.

In addition to pain, other common symptoms of carpal tunnel include:

• Numbness in the hand and fingers
• “Pins and needles” feeling
• Pain in the hands at rest (and at night)
• Weakness in hands, fingers, and wrists

These symptoms may seem like just a minor annoyance, but they can worsen quickly. Left untreated, symptoms of carpal tunnel can turn into permanent nerve and muscle damage.

There are risk factors associated with carpal tunnel, including:

• Anatomy: A smaller carpal tunnel (and smaller bones in general) increases your chance of developing pain in the wrist
• Sex: People who are assigned female at birth are more likely to have carpal tunnel
• Underlying inflammatory condition: Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions increase inflammation and risk of carpal tunnel overall
• Activity: Jobs and other tasks with repetitive stress and strain on the wrists put you at increased risk of carpal tunnel

In addition to looking for the above symptoms and risk factors, your doctor will diagnose carpal tunnel with a series of tests or exercises. These might include tests of grip strength, wrist flexion, and manual dexterity.

An electromyogram/EMG and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) study can help you understand how severe your carpal tunnel is. X-rays also check for abnormal structures or damage that might be causing nerve pressure.

Acupuncture for carpal tunnel benefits and research 

Regardless of the safety and lack of side effects, does acupuncture actually treat carpal tunnel?

More research is being done, but promising results indicate that acupuncture for carpal tunnel does work. Here’s what we know so far.

Pain relief

One of the most powerful results of acupuncture for carpal tunnel is pain relief. Consider the following studies.

• A randomized control trial in 2012 found that acupuncture relieved pain more effectively than “sham” acupuncture (needles used to “prick” the skin without insertion)
• In 2020, study participants receiving acupuncture had better pain relief and improved symptoms than patients receiving Celecoxib (a prescription anti-inflammatory)
• Acupuncture for carpal tunnel actively reduces inflammation that leads to compression (and pain)

Restores strength

Besides pain, another major symptom of carpal tunnel is weakness in the arms and hands. Acupuncture for carpal tunnel works to restore grip strength.

When acupuncture is combined with bracing and exercise, the ability to pinch objects also improves.

Rewires the brain

In a recent and astounding study, researchers found that acupuncture begins the process of essentially rewiring the brain. This rewiring improves function in the median nerve, which in turn decreases pain and other symptoms of carpal tunnel. Researchers measured electrical activity in the median nerve and found it much improved by acupuncture.

And the best news? Long-term outcomes for healing and continued health of the median nerve improve with acupuncture.

Improves mood and relieves stress

Because acupuncture in general is used for overall wellness (in addition to treating a specific condition), there is a surprising side effect of treatment. Acupuncture for any condition is associated with improved mood and lowered stress levels. This is especially true in patients with a pain condition (acute or chronic).

Whether that’s a result of the treatment itself or the quiet, regular moments of enforced rest as you receive it is unclear.

What can I expect during my acupuncture appointment?

Your first appointment will be your longest — about 90 minutes or so. Your acupuncturist will want to get a complete medical history, not just of your current injury. Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that looks at the health of the whole body system — not just a breakdown in one part.

After gathering a medical history and asking some general lifestyle questions, your acupuncturist will have you position yourself on the exam table. The physical part of the exam is a little different from a regular doctor’s visit. Your acupuncturist positions themselves at each wrist in turn, taking your pulses. These pulses are the sound of movements through the energy lines in your body. They might also look at your tongue (a major diagnostic tool in Chinese medicine) or move the affected arm and hand.

After taking pulses, your acupuncturist will insert thin needles approximately 1/16 to 1/2 inch into your skin (sometimes deeper) at pressure points. Ask questions about the needle placement if you have them. Your acupuncturist will aim for the best result with the fewest needles possible.

Once the needles are in position, the acupuncturist will dim the lights and leave you with the instruction to relax. Concentrate on slow, even breathing and just rest. After 20 minutes or so, your acupuncturist will return to check your pulses. They may add another set of needles, or you might be free to go at that point.

After the first appointment, each follow-up appointment will be 60 minutes or less.

Common acupuncture points for carpal tunnel

Common acupuncture points for carpal tunnel are mostly located on the inside of the forearm, from the elbow to the wrist. PC3 is a point located in the crook of the elbow, and PC4, PC5, PC6, and PC7 start inside the mid-forearm and march down towards the wrist. There is also an acupuncture point for carpal tunnel in the center of the palm (PC8).

Additionally, your acupuncturist may choose to insert a needle into one of six acupuncture points for stress and anxiety relief.

Will it hurt?

Of the main concerns people receiving acupuncture have is whether or not it will hurt. For most patients, acupuncture is either completely or nearly painless. The hair-thin needles do not usually hurt beyond an occasional pinch that goes away quickly.

There are some acupuncture points that can cause a brief, sharp and shooting pain. If this becomes part of your treatment, your acupuncturist will guide you through relaxing breathing exercises.

However, don’t be surprised if your treatment is so relaxing you find yourself drifting off to sleep!

How many treatments will I need?

In general, most people receive an average of eight to ten treatments, but as with many types of treatments, it’s hard to say exactly how many treatments you will need.

For acute pain, you might see your acupuncturist once or twice a week for several weeks. Once the pain is under control, you might shift to one treatment per week or less. After your symptoms improve further, your treatment focus will shift to maintenance. This means treatments on an as-needed basis to maintain good health.

More carpal tunnel treatments that can help

In addition to acupuncture, there are other carpal tunnel treatments that can help. As soon as you have symptoms, start by taking more frequent breaks to rest your wrists. In the early stages of carpal tunnel, this might be enough. You can also apply cold packs to wrist and inner arm for pain and inflammation.

Your doctor might recommend using an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain (NSAID, e.g. ibuprofen or naproxen sodium). Take these only as directed, as they can cause gastrointestinal side effects in larger doses.

If your work environment is the cause of carpal tunnel, look into ergonomic changes to your office. Make sure your keyboard and mouse (if you use one) are at the proper height. A padded wrist support can help ease strain, as can a contoured or split keyboard. Consider using a touchpad or trackball if a mouse is not comfortable.

Nighttime splinting is another way to relieve symptoms so you can get a good night’s rest. In extreme cases you might wear a splint during the day, but not usually.

Interventional procedures

Another nonsurgical carpal tunnel treatment is injections. Carefully placed injections can ease pain and decrease inflammation. It’s important to note, though, that injections do not cure carpal tunnel (or address the underlying cause).

If conservative carpal tunnel treatments do not help, your doctor might suggest surgery.

Surgery can be done endoscopically or with a scalpel. In both cases, the goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on the median nerve by cutting the carpal ligament. Although this can work to relieve pain, there are risks that can include:

• Scar tissue can form and press on the median nerve
• Carpal ligament may not completely severed
• Nerves or blood vessels can be injured

Most cases of carpal tunnel can be treated with different treatment options working together.

Find help for your carpal tunnel pain 

The best pain treatment plan uses a variety of treatments for best results. Acupuncture for carpal tunnel is safe and side effect free, making it a great choice for people who want a solution that is not medication.

But first you need to find a doctor who is committed to helping you get your life back. Find a pain specialist in Arizona or Texas by clicking the button below or look for one in your area by using the tips here: https://paindoctor.com/pain-management-doctors/.