Alternative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel
Table of Contents
Overview
Introduction
The Goal of All Carpal Tunnel Treatments
Alternative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel
- CarpalRx Myofascial Release Massager
- Hydrodissection of the Median Nerve
- Graston Technique on the Forearm
When to Speak With Your Doctor
Summary
FAQs
About
Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder of the wrist area. It results in painful and numbing feelings in the hand. As it advances, symptoms worsen. There are several treatments for carpal tunnel. The goal of every single remedy for carpal tunnel is to lessen the irritation on the median nerve in the wrist joint. This, in turn, relieves symptoms. Many patients opt for surgery. However, there are many good non-surgical remedies which are proven to be successful. Also, alternative remedies like CarpalRx therapy, hydrodissection, and the Graston technique have all proven to work as well, and sometimes even better than traditional remedies, including surgery.
Introduction
Carpal tunnel syndrome produces symptoms like
pain,
numbness,
burning, and tingling in your palm and first four fingers (but not your little finger). Symptoms first appear at night, while trying to sleep. But s the condition progresses, symptoms begin to appear during the daytime, as you're trying to perform tasks with your hands.
At that point, symptoms usually progress more rapidly and intensify. You also begin to lose hand strength and finger dexterity. Your hands feel clumsy and you drop things. You may feel
shooting electric shocks while trying to grab objects.
It's beat to treat carpal tunnel syndrome as early as possible. Unfortunately, most people wait until the disorder has progressed into the daytime, when it's more severe. And that's when surgery becomes a consideration.
However, the
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends treating carpal tunnel with non-surgical remedies FIRST, before considering surgery. That's because most non-surgical remedies are successful.
The traditional, non-surgical remedies are discussed in detail here. They include:
- Pain relief medicines
- Hand and finger resting
- Activity avoidance (modification)
- Nocturnal splinting
- Regular stretching exercises
- Myofascial release massage
- Steroid injections
However, good alternative treatments are also available. While not as popular as the traditional non-surgical remedies, they have proven to be successful where those remedies have not. These alternative treatments for carpal tunnel are:
- CarpalRx automated myofascial release massager
- Hydrodissection of the median nerve
- Graston technique on the forearm
The Goal of All Carpal Tunnel Treatments
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens because tissues deep within the wrist joint become irritated and swollen. That swelling pushes against the main nerve of the hand (the median nerve). In turn, the nerve also becomes irritated also. This is what gives you all of the feelings associated with carpal tunnel syndrome like pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, and clumsiness.
Thus, for any treatment to be successful, it must lessen the irritation on the median nerve by reducing the swelling in surrounding tissues. Surgery is a brute-force way of doing so. that's because surgery aims to cut the band of tissue holding your wrist bones together. The bones snap apart, and provide more "breathing room" for the median nerve.
But surgery is considered a last resort because it involves significant down-time, post surgical pain, aftercare, and loss of job time. Also, there is no guarantee surgery will work. In fact, it has a
50-60% success rate (success rate as measured by patient satisfaction at the second year).
Other treatments also give the median nerve more breathing room without . But they do so without surgery. They simply reduce irritation and swelling around the nerve. this is why the AOA recommends trying these non-surgical remedies first.
Alternative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel
1. CarpalRx Myofascial Release Massager
2. Hydrodissection of the Median Nerve
3. Graston Technique on the Forearm
When to Speak With Your Doctor
The last thing you need is for carpal tunnel syndrome to advance and worsen. Remember, it's a progressive disorder that just won't stop by itself. So if you don't treat it, you can expect irreversible loss of sensation, strength, and dexterity.
Simple non-surgical remedies work very well. But sometimes they are too little too late. Therefore, if your symptoms are mild and not bothering you much during the day, the the above non-surgical alternative treatments will probably work well. If symptoms are worse, then consult with your doctor to make sure you take the treatment path that's right for you. In all cases, talking with your doctor and addressing the matter as soon as possible is best.
Summary
There are three alternative treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: CarpalRx therapy, hydrodissection, and Graston technique. The CarpalRx is a home-use medical device which exactly mimics the massaging fingers of a therapist. The result is myofascial release massage; clinically proven to relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel. It has a 97% success rate. Hydrodissection is a minimally invasive technique which aims to clear the scar tissue around you median nerve using a hypodermic needle. The doctor guides the needle ultrasonically to injects fluid and release the neve from the adhesions. The success rate is 60-88%. The Graston technique on the forearm is performed by a therapist. They use a special tool to stretch the skin and tissues in your wrist and forearm. The success rate is 70-90%.
FAQs
1) So which alternative treatment for carpal tunnel is best?
Each treatment offers a good rate of efficacy. But the CarpalRx is the only in-home treatment you can do by yourself.
2) How effective is CarpalRx therapy?
The CarpalRx has a success rate of 97% effectiveness. It even works in those with severe symptoms.
(Check your severity here.)
3) Can I do myofascial massage at home without the CarpalRx?
Yes, but you cannot do it on yourself. You need a partner because it requires two thumbs.
Learn how they can to do it here.
4) How effective is hydrodissection?
It has a success rate of 60-88%.
5) How effective is the Graston technique?
It has a success rate of 70-90%, but efficacy is highly dependent on the practitioner's skill and experience.
6) Can I do the Graston technique at home?
Yes, but you won't be able to do it
well
if you don't have the proper training and experience
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