Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The Ayurvedic Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition. This is caused by pressure on the median nerve, located in the palm of your hand. This may occur if there is inflammation or growth of bone tissue (bone spur) within the carpal tunnel, and thus restricting its passageway. The carpal tunnel is a narrow, rigid passageway located in your wrist. This carries several tendons, as well as the median nerve that serves the thumb and fingers. In most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, there is no structural abnormality within the hand or wrist at all. Instead, the cause is repetitive stress on the area or prolonged pressure exerted on a specific part of your body. Ayurvedic treatment for Carpal tunnel syndrome helps not only in getting rid of the surgery but also helps in leading a pain-free life.

Ayurvedic treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome often presents with pain in one or both hands. This pain usually worsens during the nighttime and may wake you up from sleep. The pain only affects one side of the body (unlike RSD) but tends to spread upon further progression. Some common symptoms are:

  • Pain, tingling sensation, numbness, or weakness in the hand and fingers.
  • Having difficulty grasping objects, catching small items or making a fist. Clenching your hand into a closed position for a long time may further aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • When you wake up in the morning you feel pain and numbness on one side of the wrist, forearm or hand. The pain radiates into one of these areas. This causes more difficulty in opening your hand or performing fine maneuvers with it.

More Severe Symptoms of CTS

If left untreated, here are some other common symptoms:

  • Your thumb slowly becoming ‘thumb-less’ as you lose muscle control over its movements.
  • In severe cases all 5 fingers of that particular hand become affected by weakness and have general difficulties with day-to-day activities – such as typing, buttoning your clothes or writing.

The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is much higher in women than men can happen because of hormonal changes.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome also occurs slightly more frequently in diabetic patients due to dehydration.

Can Cervical nerve root compression cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

When one of the cervical nerve roots from C5 to T1 becomes compressed, it may cause carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and/or other symptoms such as:

Pins & Needles sensation in hands (most common symptom)

Hypersensitivity to cold, heat or pressure sensations.

Muscle weakness in hands. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Increased sensitivity to light touch, vibration and deep pressure over the affected area on the side of your neck – not pain but rather a tingling or burning sensation.

Numbness and loss of coordination may be present upon waking up in the morning. When there is swelling along the length of one nerve root due to it being inflamed.

Patients will try to avoid turning their heads in either direction because of this feeling, which might cause further symptoms.

Symptoms of cervical caused Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Pain, Pins & Needles, Weakness on one side of face and/or tongue that occurs during acute flare-ups. These are often the common symptoms for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. But prolonged for a period longer than 6 months – twice as long compared to CTS (which usually lasts up to 3 months). There can be muscle weakness affecting the muscles below your jawline; some also refer to it as boiling mouth syndrome since it is painful enough that you feel like you will burst into flames the moment you taste anything cold or hot – causing a disruption in your eating habits.

Is surgery a solution of CTS?

Since CTS is not directly because of any structural abnormality. Such as a tumor or fractured bone. Therefore surgical options doesn’t work always. Surgical removal of the transverse carpal ligament certainly helps to relieve pain in more than 90% of patients. But this can increase the chances for re-occurrences of inflammation in the area. The inflammation can lead to further numbness and stiffness. Especially if strenuous activities are performed during recovery.

Surgery is a boon or bane: Know

It is recommended that you consult an Ayurveda physician instead who might recommend some non-invasive treatment methods such as:

  • Panchakarma Therpaies
  • Ayurvedic medicines
  • Yoga Asanas

What is an Ayurvedic solution for CTS?

Ayurveda recommends a herbal treatment for CTS. It is a Vata disorder (occurs because of Vayu dosha) for Ayurveda. Controlling the Vata Dosha in the body system will help you manage symptoms effectively.

Since inflammation is a primary cause behind the CTS. Ayurveda recommends anti-inflammatory herbs to help reduce swelling and pain. A combination of herbs with cooling properties like Aloe Vera (Barabashar Rasa), Chickweed (Bheemar Rasa), etc. works well. These when mixed together with other warming herbs such as Amalaki & Bibhitaki are most effective in relieving the swelling and reducing the symptoms of CTS.

Ayurveda also recommends Carpal tunnel syndrome herbal supplements to relax muscles, increase blood circulation and relieve pressure on nerves thus helping you in alleviating carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms effectively.

Ayurveda for CTS caused by cervical nerve root compression?

Since Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is primarily caused by cervical nerve root compression. Ayurveda recommends that you have your spine evaluated for any stress, strain or injury. Panchakarma helps in this regard and relieving the pressure on the nerves can make a significant difference in symptoms. Especially if it’s caught on time when they are only mild instead of severe.

Ayurveda also recommends herbal supplements to help you maintain a healthy balance in your body system. Panchakarma is the best treatment for cervical nerve root compression since it helps in managing stress, relieving tension, and improving the overall health of the entire nervous system; thereby helping with the relief from CTS symptoms.

How does Ayurveda management differs?

As Ayurveda emphasizes on maintaining good health by balancing all energies (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in your body, it recommends you work with an expert who knows about this disease management technique to help you control CTS effectively. Ayurveda treatments focus more on prevention than treatment. Therefore so quality lifestyle changes are emphasized. Rather than going for invasive treatments or surgeries that can prove harmful in the long run.

Ayurveda recommends that you follow the below guidelines:

  • Rest when your pain level increases. Do not ignore it as this can cause further problems especially if it is prolonged. Ayurveda recommends rest and cool compressions (using wet cloths dipped in cold water) when experiencing severe symptoms of CTS.
  • Spend time relaxing outdoors. Fresh air and time spent outdoors promoting blood circulation will help manage swelling of joints, improve muscle strength and promote overall healing activities in your body – thus reducing your CTS symptoms significantly.
  • Avoid strenuous exercises like weightlifting or heavy gardening; instead go for gentle exercises like swimming, walking etc as they help in improving blood circulation and reducing swelling of the area.
  • Get a good night sleep. Sleeping well is an important factor in maintaining physical and mental health. Ayurveda recommends that you get at least 8 hours of sound sleep per day, so that your body can relax during this period and help absorb nutrients from your food properly; thereby helping you reduce symptoms effectively.

Ayurvedic treatment for CTS?

The herbs mentioned above are also used in making herbal wraps (bandages) that are applied on the affected area after applying warm medicinal oils to improve blood circulation, relieve irritation etc. These herbal compresses are usually worn overnight so as to provide effective relief from symptoms while you sleep. Since Ayurveda focuses on balancing all energies (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) in your body to promote health. These herbal packs, also designed to reduce the symptoms based on your Vatahara (balance of Vata or Air), Pittahara (balance of Pitta or fire) and Kapahara (balance of Kapha or water).

How does the 3 D approach of Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc treatment help (the text is clickable).

Ayurvedic management for CTS is a “tried and tested method” that has been practiced for thousands of years. However Ayurvedic treatment can be extremely effective only if you have someone who really understands this disease by virtue of having experienced it themselves. Therefore consulting an expert who knows about this form of treatment is highly recommended as they will be able to design a tailored treatment plan just for you.

And how about the surgery?

Surgery, as mentioned earlier is a last resort for CTS treatment and usually involves the removal of one or many of your cervical discs to relieve pressure on the nerve roots. If you have been diagnosed with severe symptoms like muscle weakness in your hands and arms, paralysis in fingers due to this condition, or if medicines have not helped you enough; then there are very high chances that surgery will come into play. However, if you do opt for surgery, it’s crucial that you understand what can go wrong and the risks involved before going ahead with it.

There are several downsides associated with surgeries: – The pain caused by the actual operation may take a long time to subside – sometimes even years! After surgery, people often report that the area still feels tender and sore even when they try to move their neck.