Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Natural Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neurological disease caused by the pressure of wrist ligaments rubbing against the median nerve of the hand. Those with this syndrome often complain of a burning or tingling sensation in the hands and fingers, as well as morning pain and stiffness in the joints. They may also have a weak handgrip and night-time muscle spasms or brief paralysis.

John M. Ellis is a Texas doctor who has pioneered vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome. In a study carried out jointly with Karl Folkers and co-workers at the University of Texas, Dr. Ellis treated ten people with severe pain and stiffness problems. Six were actually being considered for wrist surgery as a last resort to relieve their discomfort.

Because all of these individuals were found to have a deficiency of pyridoxine, the researchers decided to prescribe a relatively high dosage of the vitamin: 300 mg daily. The results were remarkable.

A 33-year-old woman, who did vigorous work with her hands at a furniture factory, had complained of nightly numbness and tingling in her right hand. The hand was swollen, and she was unable to grasp objects tightly. There was additional numbness and tingling in her cheek. After taking vitamin B6 for four weeks, she reported that all symptoms were relieved. And she never missed a day of work.

Another woman, aged 35, had suffered from pain and stiffness for five years. She was continually dropping objects at work, where she assembled screen doors. Finally, the pain in her hands became so bad that she was kept awake four or five hours each night, and terrible shoulder pain prevented her from combing her hair. The researchers reported that, after four weeks of vitamin B6 therapy, 'there was complete relief of shoulder pain, the remarkable reduction in swelling of hands and feet, improved speed and range of flexion of fingers, and improved handgrip. ' Other people experienced similar improvement while taking the vitamin.

In the second study with vitamin B6 and seven carpal tunnel patients, Dr. Ellis noted equally great benefits. Some of these individuals had suffered finger and hand pain for five to ten years, and a few had experienced such great nerve sensory loss in their fingertips that they couldn't feel pressure even when a sharp needle penetrated their skin and drew blood. Yet they, too, were helped by vitamin B6 (Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology).