Acupuncture For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Acupuncture has the ability to improve both blood flow and neurological function. One common ailments it addresses without the use of medication is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. That's what researchers confirmed in the results of a 77-patient study published in a recent edition of the Clinical Journal Of Pain.

Because of the discomfort it causes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome leads to lost work productivity and a decline in quality of life. Compared to surgery and steroids, acupuncture held its own. By some measurements, it performed even better than the oral steroid prednisolone:


http://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/Abstract/2009/05000/Acupuncture_in_Patients_With_Carpal_Tunnel.11.aspx


The study measured 5 main symptoms scores: pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness/clumsiness and nocturnal awakening.

After four weeks, acupuncture registered major decreases with nocturnal awakeng and distal motor latency.

"Acupuncture was well tolerated with minimal adverse effects," the researchers concluded. They added:

"Short-term acupuncture treatment is as effective as short-term low-dose prednisolone for mild-to-moderate CTS. For those who do have an intolerance or contraindication for oral steroid or for those who do not opt for early surgery, acupuncture treatment provides an alternative choice."