Ayurvedic Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: How It Can Help

By- Dr. Brent Wells, D.C.

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Carpal Tunnel SyndromeChances are that you have a desk job that you love to hate. Nearly 70 percent of all Americans sit behind a desk, typing away on keyboards.
While everyone is appreciative to have a job, the price you pay in weight gain, lack of cardiovascular health, and carpal tunnel syndrome is fairly high.
You don’t have to work behind a desk to develop carpal tunnel, either. Any type of repetitive work involving your hands and wrists, such as carpentry, check-out clerks, and masonry workers are all likely candidates when it comes to developing carpal tunnel.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

In a nutshell, carpal tunnel involves pressure on the Median Nerve that goes through the wrist. When this “tunnel” becomes narrower due to the swelling of tendons and muscles because of overuse, this puts pressure on the nerve, which causes pain, numbness, and a tingling feeling in the hand and wrist.

Surgery is often unnecessary unless all other treatment methods have failed.
Most often home remedies for carpal tunnel relieve many of the symptoms and pain. These Home remedies include:

  • Resting the affected arm for 6 weeks
  • Wear wrist splints
  • Use heat packs
  • Avoid carrying heavy items
  • Practice stretching exercises

What if My Symptoms Don’t Improve?

This is when you should turn to trusted professionals, such as practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine and/or your local chiropractor.
Ayurvedic medicine often involves the use of herbs and oils to encourage healing. Depending on your situation, your practitioner might suggest:

  • Use a warm poultice out of Moringa or castor leaves and applying this to the wrists
  • Massaging the affected area with an herbal oil called Mahanarayana taila.
  • The consumption of anti-inflammatory supplements, such as curcumin, ginger, or green tea
  • Swedana- which is sweating produced by using medicatore vapors
  • Greeva Vasti- which uses medicated oils on the spine

Some practitioners suggest that carpal tunnel is a malfunction of Vata in Kandara. Ayurvedic medicine seeks to maintain a healthy balance between the three Doshas (Kapha, Pitta, and Vata). When our bodies are no longer in balance it can cause disease or other health issues such as carpal tunnel.

What Else Can I Do?

You can also seek out comprehensive chiropractic care. Chiropractic and Ayurvedic medicine work very well together to restore the body to its natural state of health and balance.
Your chiropractor will most likely perform adjustments to return the spine and other joints to remove obstructions. This allows the natural flow of energy through the nervous system to allow the body to heal itself.
Studies have found that chiropractic is also effective in helping patients who have carpal tunnel. Massage therapy can also be particularly important when it comes to healing carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you are in pain and are experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and home remedies have not brought you relief from symptoms after 6-8 weeks, it’s time to visit your local Ayurvedic practitioner and/or your chiropractor for a complete diagnosis.

Author Bio:
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C.
founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.