Do you have pain, numbness, and tingling in the palmar (palm side or grasping side) surface of the thumb and radial (toward the thumb side) two and one half fingers? It could be due to Carpal tunnel syndrome. This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Chiropractic Care in West Palm Beach: Causes of Median Nerve Entrapment at the Carpal Tunnel of the Wrist
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a peripheral neuropathy. And a peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord. It is a disease characterized by pain or loss of function in the nerves that carry signals to and from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to other parts of the body.
With carpal tunnel syndrome (neuropathy at the wrist), the median nerve runs through an osteofibrous tunnel created by the transverse carpal ligament and carpal (wrist) bones. Direct compression from ganglions (sac-like swelling or cyst), fractures, and dislocations is possible. However, it is more common to have a history of direct external pressure on the tunnel. Also, a history of prolonged wrist use in full flexion or extension (down or up) can be the culprit. Lastly, pressure inside the tunnel increases in these extreme repetitive positions. Additionally, other factors may contribute such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, connective tissue disorders and fluid retention as in pregnancy. Deficiency in B vitamins may predispose you to carpal tunnel syndrome as well.
Anatomy of the Median Nerve
First, the median nerve is a major peripheral nerve of the upper limb and are formed from the nerve roots of C6 – T1. Also, contains fibres from C5 in some individuals. The median nerve comes from the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) cords of the brachial plexus. And the brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that originate from nerve roots in the cervical (neck) and upper thoracic (torso) sections of the spinal cord (C5-T1). Ultimately, the brachial plexus creates a network that connects to the nerves in the arm. Therefore, the median nerve contains fibres from nerve roots C6 – T1.
Second, it arises from the brachial plexus in the axilla and descends down the arm. At first, it is lateral to the brachial artery. Halfway down the arm, the median nerve crosses over the brachial artery. It is then in the medial (inner) arm. Next, the median nerve enters the anterior (front) compartment of the forearm via the cubital fossa at the elbow.
Third, in the forearm, the nerve travels between the two heads of pronator teres muscle, and then descends in a plane between the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis muscles. Here, the median nerve gives rise to two branches in the forearm:
- Anterior interosseous nerve – supplies the deep muscles in the anterior forearm.
- Palmar cutaneous nerve – innervates the skin of the lateral (outer) palm.
Fourth, after giving off the anterior interosseous and palmar cutaneous branches, the median nerve enters the hand via the carpal tunnel. Finally, the median nerve terminates by dividing into two branches:
- Recurrent branch – innervates the thenar muscles.
- Palmar digital nerves – innervates the palmar surface and fingertips of the lateral three and half digits. Additionally, provides branches to the lateral two lumbrical muscles.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Research
In one study, participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (without acupuncture) or an intervention group (with acupuncture). One group had night splinting, vitamin B1, B6 and sham acupuncture for four weeks. And another group got acupuncture in 8 sessions over 4 weeks and night splinting. So the short term effects of acupuncture for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome was assessed. The results showed acupuncture significantly improved clinical symptoms of CTS. Therefore, acupuncture can improve the overall subjective symptoms (e.g. pain) of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): More Research
Firstly, in another study, funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and conducted by a multicenter team of scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital, Logan University, the Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates/Atrium Health, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is the first sham-controlled neuroimaging acupuncture study for CTS. It was published in the journal Brain.
Secondly, the scientists looked at local pain-relieving effects in people with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with acupuncture. Similarly, they looked at how acupuncture was effecting the brain’s pain centers. The conclusion was, acupuncture may improve CTS pathophysiology (body’s changes due to disease) by both local and brain-based mechanisms. The scientists looked at the neuroplasticity of the primary somatosensory cortex. So they were looking at the brain’s ability to reorganize. Specifically, its touch, pain, and “body-position maps” following injury, learning, or changes in sensory input. This dynamic rewiring allows healthy neurons (nerve cells) to take over areas that lose input. It also allows the brain to adapt through repetitive practice.
Thirdly, the aim was to study the short term effects of acupuncture treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. The results showed that patients receiving acupuncture had significantly better outcomes in clinical symptoms of CTS.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problem. Acupuncture effects what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians.
Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system. This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.
Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience. Call 561-253-8984 today! Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
References:
Acupuncture in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial study, J Res Med Sci. 2012 Jan;17(1):1–7.
Saeid Khosrawi 1, Alireza Moghtaderi 2,✉, Shila Haghighat 3 PMCID: PMC3523426 PMID: 23248650
2. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/research-results/how-the-body-and-brain-achieve-carpal-tunnel-pain-relief-via-acupuncture
How the Body and Brain Achieve Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief via Acupuncture