Home Remedies for Carpal Tunnel: Learn How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Naturally
What is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel is caused by damage of the median nerve, which is located within a small tunnel that travels through the wrist and into the hand, the carpal tunnel. It is a relatively common condition of our age. Typists, construction workers, writers, musicians, and factory workers are some of the many people who are at risk for this repetitive strain injury.
Starting out as a consistent tingling and numbness in the first three fingers and thumb, carpal tunnel can eventually become a daily struggle, with serious pain in the fingers, wrist, and forearm, as well as the shoulders in some cases. Aside from the moderate to severe pain, atrophy of the thumb muscles is a long-term result. Surgery is one option in serious cases, but home remedies for carpal tunnel, when used consistently can help to manage the pain and inflammation and slow the effects of the nerve damage.
Food and Supplements
The first step to take when you treat carpal tunnel syndrome naturally is to make adjustments to the diet. Some foods and nutritional supplements can help the body manage inflammation and swelling and provide the needed nourishment for the body to heal properly. B-complex vitamins can improve nerve function, coenzyme Q-10 can help with tissue oxygenation, and vitamin C with bioflavonoids can help reduce inflammation and speed healing.
The most important food to add to the diet for any inflammatory condition is pineapple. Fresh pineapple is rich in bromelain, a nutrient that will help with swelling as well as the associated pain. Try eating this fruit on a daily basis for at least two weeks. Other than pineapple, include plenty of whole grains, which are rich in the B vitamins, and celery to help the body deal with excess salt. It is important to minimize salty foods, which can cause water retention and aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, foods rich in oxalic acid should be eaten in small amounts — spinach, rhubarb, swiss chard, eggs, asparagus, and beets.
How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Herbs
There are a number of herbs that can be useful for treating carpal tunnel naturally. Herbs are most effective when taken over a period of time. Try drinking a herbal infusion of any of these herbs one to three times a day for two to four weeks. Infuse two teaspoons of one, or a combination of the dried herbs, with one cup of boiling water for ten minutes.
- Yarrow as an anti-inflammatory and for flexibility
- Corn silk as a diuretic to reduce swelling
- Ginkgo biloba to improve circulation and nerve function
- Marshmallow root to promote healing and soothe tissue
- Skullcap to relax nerves and to relieve pain
Useful Tips and Home Remedies
Other home remedies for carpal tunnel include regular therapeutic massage. Rub the affected area in a circular motion for five to ten minutes a day. Make a massage oil blend with therapeutic grade essential oils, eight to ten drops of the essential oil for every two ounces of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba. Wintergreen and sweet birch essential oil will help to reduce pain. Warming oils such as ginger and cinnamon are beneficial as well.
Try using an ergonomic hand exerciser to maintain strength and muscle tone in the hand, fingers, and wrist. Whenever pain from carpal tunnel increases, be sure to stop whatever work or movement you are doing and take a break. If possible, always rest the hands for several minutes each hour during work. Also, keeping a warm work environment will make a huge difference in the level of pain from carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a very troubling condition, but one that can be easily managed with natural home remedies. Be sure to consult a health care practitioner as well to discuss all options.
Resources
Balch, Phyllis, CNC. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition.” (The Penguin Group, 2006).
Page, Linda. “Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition” (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
Image Credit
photo by: Anna Kika (CC/flickr)
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