Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are the most common
job-related injuries and are responsible for the highest number of days lost
among all work related injuries. One of the most well-known types of repetitive
stress injury, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) accounts for over two million
visits to physicians’ offices and approximately 465,000 carpal tunnel release
operations each year, making it the most frequent surgery of the hand and
wrist.
Symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include tightness,
stiffness, pain, tingling, numbness, coldness and loss of strength in the arm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that refers specifically
to the inflammation of a specific ligament that puts pressure on the median
nerve.
Acupuncture is extremely effective for treating repetitive
stress injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome; eliminating the need for
surgery or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In fact, one
of the most common reasons that people get acupuncture is for repetitive stress
injuries. Recent studies even suggest that acupuncture may be more effective
than corticosteroids when it comes to treating CTS.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the wrist made up of
ligaments and bones. The median nerve and the tendons that connect the fingers
to the muscles of the forearm pass through this tightly spaced tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve
entrapment, occurs when swelling or irritation of the tendons in the carpal
tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve causing pain in the palm side of
the wrist and pain and tingling in the fingers. The median nerve controls
sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to
some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.
Symptoms
usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or numbness in the
palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the index, middle and ring
fingers. Pain can sometimes travel up the arm and affect the shoulder. The
symptoms often first appear during the night. As symptoms worsen, people might feel pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and
wrist, radiating up the arm during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it
difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. If
not properly treated, CTS can cause irreversible nerve damage and permanent
deterioration of muscle tissue.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Repetitive Stress Injuries with Acupuncture
From an Oriental medicine perspective, a repetitive stress
injury is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi and Blood (Xue) within the
area and associated with cold, dampness or wind penetrating the muscles and
sinews. Acupuncture points, stretching exercises, herbal remedies and
nutritional supplements are chosen to treat accordingly.
In addition to reducing the swelling, inflammation and pain,
acupuncture addresses any headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and sleeping
problems that often accompany this condition. Your treatment may also take into
account any underlying conditions that contribute to the development of RSI
including posture, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems, diabetes
and hormonal changes of pregnancy and menopause.
Acupuncture Effective in Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
According to randomized, controlled study published in the
May 2009 issue of the Clinical Journal of Pain, acupuncture is as effective as
the corticosteroid, prednisone, for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS).
The study investigated the efficacy of acupuncture compared
with steroid treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome
as measured by both nerve conduction studies and symptom assessment survey. One
group received eight acupuncture treatments over four weeks, and the other
group received daily oral doses of prednisone for four weeks.
Results showed that acupuncture was just as effective as the
corticosteroid for pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. For the symptoms of
night time awakening and motor function, the acupuncture group has better
results.
Researchers concluded that acupuncture treatment is a safe and effective treatment option for CTS for those who
experience side effects to oral steroids or for those who do not wish to
undergo surgery.
If you or someone you
know suffers from repetitive stress injury, please call to find out more about
how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you.
