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Natural Remedies For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Have you ever felt a tingling sensation in your fingers while you work? Do you have a certain numbness that is debilitating to the extent that you are unable to work? Is there a certain pain that goes right into your hands? If yes, let us enlighten you as to the cause of the syndrome.

What you experience are unmistakable symptoms of carpal tunnel. A very common problem among computer users, carpal tunnel syndrome surfaces when the median nerve located under the wrist is crushed beyond its capacity. The median nerve is normally protected by the carpal tunnel, a group of muscles that act as a tunnel inside which it is nestled. Frequent use of the computer for typing will make these muscles get damaged due to the pressure exerted by the table under the wrist. A number of other jobs too can cause carpal tunnel to break under pressure leaving the nerves open for damage.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is essentially an occupational hazard and hence very important to be removed in the bud to prevent it from being a threat to you career graph. Surgical options are mainly aimed at easing the pressure around the nerves. However, surgery may not be a permanent solution as symptoms could recur if not careful. Before you opt for surgery, here are certain natural methods that could make a world of difference to your tingling and pain.

Home Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

1. Ice Packs for Relieving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This is something that you can do even while you are at work. If you are troubled by the intense pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, take an icepack and leave it under your wrist. This will give immediate relief from pain and inflammation. The tendons that are inflamed need time to recover. So make sure that you do not go back to the repetitive task that you have been doing immediately after relief. Give a gap of 15-20 minutes before you get back to work.

You can also keep the ice pack wrapped on to the wrist if you want to do some urgent typing. Wrap the ice cubes in a towel and place it under your wrist. This will not only give relief, but prevent inflammation of the tendons.

2. Ergonomics While you Use the Computer

Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common among people who work with computers. Thus installing an ergonomic keypad will help remove the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and also relieve and prevent further damage to the median nerve for those who are under treatment for repairing the nerve.

Along with these, you can also practice certain hand positions while typing. Wrists must be kept straight without bending and if possible it must be kept in such a way that it does not press the median nerve. These positions will prevent the median nerve from getting strained. The support under your wrist for the keypad too deserves some mention. Make sure that you get the right support which is soft as well as soothing and comfortable for your nerve.

3. Sleeping Positions Count for Easing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be extremely daunting, especially at night. This would lead to sleep deprivation and related disorders.  While you sleep, the position of your wrists must be in such a way that it does not press the nerves and cause discomfort and numbing sensation that will affect your sleep.  Therefore, while you sleep, ensure that your wrists are kept flat on the bed or out at the edge of your bed rather than putting them under your pillow. Putting your hand under the pillow is a common practice which will damage the carpal tunnel and the median nerve in the long run.

4. Use of Splint for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome where sleep deprivation is leading to other complications, you might want to consider using a splint while at work and also while you sleep. A splint prevents the wrist from bending and creating tingling and numbing sensation due to the inflammation of the median nerve. There are many available in the market. However, a basic splint can be shaped out at home itself.

Take two cardboard pieces, long enough to keep your palm open while you sleep. Keep one on either side of your palm, covering the wrist area well. Now, using gauze or a tape, secure them in place so that the wrists do not bend at all. Make sure that you leave enough space around the gauze for blood circulation. You can use this while your work and sleep to prevent inflammation and pain from recurring. Using a splint will also prevent further damage to the nerves.

5. Diet for Reducing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Fresh pineapples consumed everyday will put an end to your carpal tunnel syndrome within days. Bromine, the enzyme present in pineapples have abundant anti inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammation and resultant pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Along with that it is important to control the intake of sodium which can aggravate the condition.

Sometimes carpal tunnel syndrome can be due to deficiency of Vitamin B6. Food rich in vitamin B can be consumes which would be chicken, sweet potatoes, avocados, nuts, bananas. Vitamin B facilitates smooth nerve function. Along with vitamin B, you can consume food rich in zinc and vitamin C for the healing process to be accelerated.

6. Weight Control and Hand Exercises to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Weight gain is a major cause for carpal tunnel syndrome. As you gain weight, the fat in your body can result in extra pressure on the media nerve, resulting in pain and numbness. Therefore, it is important to maintain a normal weight.

Simple hand exercises like shaking and wriggling your hand, clenching and unclenching your hand and stretching your fingers are great ways to keep the blood circulation optimal and also in preventing too much tension and strain on the nerves. It is also important to give your hands a break every few hours to prevent inflammation and pain.


Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.