What Is the Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a channel in the palm side of the wrist. The wrist is formed by eight marble-size carpal bones which are closely united by ligaments and form a semi-circle structure. The structure is called carpus or wrist technically. The carpus as a whole is very flexible because the carpals are arranged in two irregular rows of four bones each and allowed to have gliding movement among them (See the palm picture at left). A tough carpal ligament forms a roof over these short bones, creating a passageway which is called carpal tunnel.
Median Nerve Is inside the Carpal Tunnel
Running through the carpal tunnel are the tendons that we use to bend the fingers and wrist, and the median nerve. This is one of two nerves that allow feeling in the hand. It is located on the palm side of the carpal tunnel and more to the thumb side. The median nerve has a branch which controls some of the muscles that move the thumb.
Who Gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
There are about 3.7% Americans who get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A female has 3 times higher risk than a male. Assembly line workers have 3 times more possibility to experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The average age of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients is 50. Roughly 4 out of 5 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients are more than 40 years old.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Traditional View
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is most commonly thought to be the direct result of repetitive motion in the workplace – including many areas of factory work, activities like typing, or even in playing a musical instrument. But a multitude of risk factors have been identified that predispose patients to the disorder. Certain diseases, pregnancy, obesity, hormonal imbalance, sleep position, vibration, deformity after trauma and carpal bone anomalies are among those systemic and anatomic factors.
The Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can result when the tunnel narrows because of inflammation. The narrowed tunnel compresses a portion of the median nerve, which normally sends signals to the thumb, index and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger. When the median nerve is pinched, its reduced capacity to send signals causes symptoms ranging from mild tingling or numbness in the affected areas, difficulty gripping or making a fist, to severe muscle atrophy.
Chinese Medicine View
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the result of slowing energy in heart meridian or heart deficiency. By examining these patients, the affected hand has higher temperature especially along the pathway of heart meridian. This deficiency means the energy flow in heart channel is slow and weak. The energy is not strong enough to support the circulation with essential strength. The consistent weakened circulation in the heart pathway causes inflammation as shown in the picture. Most of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients have mild form of shortness of breath, but they are not aware of it most likely. Shortness of breath is the important sign of heart deficiency in Chinese medicine. With heart deficiency, if patients experience conditions like pregnancy, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis which increase the load of the heart, then it will increase the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Prevention – Living a Better Life Style
| ² Practicing relaxed shoulder and upper back exercises | ² Taking frequent rest breaks while working |
| ² Using correct posture and wrist position | ² Monitoring the quality of breath |
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Healing – Renewing Patient’s Life
The treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes stimulation to the following acupuncture points:
| l Heart & Pericardium | l Anti-inflammation |
| l Wrist & Elbow | l Strengthening energy |
Our Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment is very effective. The first sign of healing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the reduction of the heat on the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome hand and then it comes with reduction of the pain and numbness with strong gripping power of the fist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients will begin to experience these benefits in 3 treatments in most cases. Best of all, the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment has long lasting result with better breathing.
