腕管综合症 WAN GUAN ZONGHE ZHENG - CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE

Chinese medicine classifies Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as Bi Syndrome, and thus it is due to stagnation of Qi and Blood in the wrist from the invasion of Wind, Cold, or Damp, often superimposed on a deficiency of Spleen Qi.

Treatment is aimed at dispersing the stagnant Qi and quickening the Blood in the Pericardium channel and tonifying the Qi of the Spleen meridian. Identify Ah Shi points in the wrist and either needle the points or use moxa to move Qi and Blood in the channel where the Ah Shi points were found. At FullCircle Acupuncture HealthCentre we employ electroacupuncture, hot needles, Zhu Scalp Acupuncture, Dr. Tan Balance Method, vitamin supplements, and massage with essential oils.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Independent investigations confirm that acupuncture is more effective than usual care, including anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture successfully alleviates pain, inflammation, numbness, and restores motor dexterity.

WESTERN MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE

Carpal Tunnel syndrome is the most common and important of all the nerve entrapment syndromes. Anatomically, compression neuropathies most frequently occur where a nerve passes through a fibrous or fibro-osseous tunnel, or where a nerve alters its course around a fibrous or muscular band. Several of these compression neuropathies have been described as ‘tunnel syndromes’ ─the cubital-tunnel syndrome, or tardy ulnar palsy, the anterior interosseous-tunnel syndrome, or pronator syndrome, the ulnar-tunnel syndrome,  or ulnar nerve compression in Guyon’s tunnel, and the tarsal-tunnel syndrome. Of all the tunnel syndromes, compression neuropathy of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel is the most frequently encountered, but it has been only in the last few years that the carpal tunnel syndrome has attained its rightful place as the primary cause of numbness and tingling in the fingers.

Etiology and Pathogenesis

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. When the median nerve is compressed, the symptoms can include numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and arm. The anatomy of the wrist contributes to the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among active workers in jobs with specific hand force and repetitiveness characteristics. Proper treatment usually relieves the tingling and numbness and restores wrist and hand function.

Diagnosis

Patients with any numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers or with any weakness or atrophy of the thenar muscles that precludes from holding even small objects, or pain radiating from the wrist to the shoulder, must be considered as having carpal-tunnel syndrome. Women are more apt to having this condition than men.

Treatments

Treatment for Carpal tunnel syndrome is based on the severity of the symptoms, and may include immobilizing the wrist and hand, using anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids to reduce swelling, and surgery, in severe cases. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can safely be used independently or in conjunction with Western treatments, to relieve the symptoms.

Studies suggest that acupuncture can both reduce swelling of soft tissue and stimulate production of cortisol, a hormone that reduces inflammation, since Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the swelling of the soft tissue that leads to inflammation of the carpal tunnel. In addition to improving symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, treatment with Chinese medicine and acupuncture may also improve other symptoms often associated with this condition such as headaches, neck pain, and shoulder stiffness. More importantly, Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help relieve the emotional stress of living with this painful condition.

Self-Care For a Pain-Free Life

Lifestyle changes are recommended, but in the absence of it, consider the following:
Take plenty of breaks during the day, especially if you perform repetitive tasks.
Try yoga to increase flexibility and strength.
Remember to gently stretch your hands, arms, and shoulders throughout the day.
If you work at a computer, consult an ergonomics specialist to ensure that your workstation is set up properly.
Ask the practitioner about supplements such as B2, B6, and Omega-3 fatty acids for reducing numbness and inflammation.
Keep the appointment with the Licensed Acupuncturist.

MISCELLANEOUS AILMENTS

TREATMENTS OFFERED

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________REFERENCES
-Meng-Chuan Ho, Ei-wen Lo, Comparisons of Three Observational Ergonomic Tools for Risk Assessment on Upper Extremities in a Pump Assembly Plant – A Pilot Study, Advances in Social and Occupational Ergonomics, 10.1007/978-3-030-20145-6_30, (302-308), (2020).
– Lin Li, Yan‐xia Li, Rui Gong, Hao Fu, Effect of wrist position on grip force sense in healthy adults, Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, 10.1002/hfm.20836, 30, 4, (237-247), (2020).
– Mary Jo Siebenaler, Patricia McGovern, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, AAOHN Journal, 10.1177/216507999204000203, 40, 2, (62-71), (2020).
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Nov. 2002.

-Above Article Written by Dr. Osorio, Gloria DAOM, L.Ac. 2020.