Herbal Medicines for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Supplements
Increase your B6 intake. While researching CTS in 1976, John Ellis, M.D., of Mount Pleasant, Texas, made an intriguing discovery: He noticed that the condition was more common in people who were deficient in vitamin B6. When he gave B6 supplements to patients with CTS, many of them saw their symptoms disappear completely.
Since then, several other studies have confirmed the benefits of vitamin B6 in treating CTS. If you want to try B6, take 100 milligrams a day. But keep in mind that B6 therapy doesn't work overnight, Dr. Ellis cautions. You may have to wait up to 12 weeks before you notice improvement.
Exercise
Twist those wrists. At the Hand Institute and Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center in Oklahoma City, Houshang Seradge, M.D., taught people with CTS simple wrist exercises. The participants stood with their arms outstretched in front of them and gently flexed their wrists up and down and rotated their wrists in circles for a total of 5 minutes. Then Dr. Seradge measured the pressure on the participants' median nerves. The pressure had dropped to near-normal levels and remained low for more than 20 minutes after the participants had completed their exercises.
Dr. Seradge recommends wrist flexes and wrist rotations for everyone with CTS. "Do them first thing in the morning and hourly during the workday," Dr. Seradge advises. "If you wear a wrist splint, remove it, do the exercises, then put it back on."
Herbal Medicine
Get to know willow. James A. Duke, Ph.D., recommends the herb willow bark for CTS. "Willow bark is an anti-inflammatory," he explains. "It was the original plant source of aspirin." To make an herbal tea, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered willow bark to 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer for 10 minutes, strain out the herb, and drink. Dr. Duke suggests drinking two to three cupfuls a day. You can buy powdered willow bark in health food stores.
Turn to turmeric. "Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat inflammation," says Joseph Pizzorno Jr., N.D. "Scientific research has shown that the herb has anti-inflammatory activity comparable to pharmaceutical hydrocortisone." He recommends taking 250 to 500 milligrams of turmeric extract (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon) three times a day, before meals.
Be aware that turmeric and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs don't mix. So if you're taking aspirin or ibuprofen, don't use turmeric, and vice versa.
Bank on bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple. Several studies have shown that it decreases pain and swelling. You can buy bromelain supplements in most health food stores. Dr. Pizzorno recommends taking 250 to 500 milligrams three times a day, before meals. "Or simply eat more pineapple," Dr. Duke adds.
Chinese Medicine
Press the right point. Periodically pressing the point Pericardium 6 may relieve CTS pain. The point is located in the middle of your inner wrist, 2 1/2 finger-widths above the wrist crease. Apply steady, penetrating finger pressure for 3 minutes every hour or two.
Consider acupuncture. If acupressure doesn't help, you may want to consult an acupuncturist, since acupuncture is a bit more potent. In one study, needle stimulation of the point Pericardium 6 brought relief to 35 of 36 people with CTS-including 14 who had unsuccessful surgery to alleviate their symptoms.

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