Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, is pressed or trapped within the carpal tunnel, which is a kind of narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand or what is known as wrist.
The median nerve functions are to control the feelings of the front of the fingers except the little finger. It also controls the impulses of some small muscles in the hand that allow mobility to the fingers and thumb.
Carpal tunnel functions
It contains the tendons, nerve and median nerve. The roof of the carpal tunnel is bounded by a ligament called the flexor retinaculum. Through this tunnel, four tendons of the common flexor surface of fingers, four tendons of flexor digitorum profundus of common hand and the flexor tendon of the thumb run.
If the tunnel suffers a process that reduces the space, such as inflammation of one of the tendons, fluid, thickening of irritated tendons, etc. that would cause nerve entrapment, i.e. the median nerve is compressed and cause certain symptoms.
Symptoms
- Symptoms in most cases begin slowly at first; you may feel heat, cramps, numbness in the palm and fingers (especially thumb, index and middle finger). Many patients claim to feel a swelling sense of uselessness in the fingers, but these are not swollen. All these initial symptoms can appear in either one or both hands and can become acute at night (after work). In the morning, may be common to present a feeling of numbness in the fingertips, which is caused by sleeping with wrists bent and causing the person wanting to shake the hand or wrist.
- As the condition worsens, they may have other more pronounced symptoms such as pain in the hand at rest or moving the fingers, especially the middle finger and thumb.
- Weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist.
- Feeling of irritation in the arm.
- Numbness in hand.
- Lack of touch sensitivity to cold and heat.
- Decrease in the pulse of the hand, which creates difficulty while closing it and pressing small objects, and performing other manual activities. When the condition becomes chronic or is not treated, the muscles of the thumb may become stunted or weakened.
- Considering that the pressure within the carpal tunnel is between 7 to 8 mm. hg or, in cases of disease, it can reach up to 30 mm. hg, can cause dysfunction, severe pain and limited mobility of the hand and wrist, which when it flexes or extends the pressure could increase to 90 mm. hg or more, which would cause ischemia in the nervorum, which can lead to a vicious cycle, the vasogenic edema occur, further increasing pressure and stressing all symptoms.
- If the condition progresses, it can reach the point of causing atrophy of the muscles of the affected hand (thenar), which significantly limit function and mobility of the affected hand.
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome:
- The tension on the hands due to repetitive movements is very common. People likely to suffer are those who use computers, musicians (violinists), craft artists, mechanics, cashiers, etc., who require precise movements with their hands, and these movements can lead to a strong and steady tension enough to eventually deplete and irritate the nerves and tendons of the hand, which become inflamed and swell, causing the condition.
- Some of the emotional causes that predispose this condition are the stress of the job which causes an emotional burden of resistance, anger or excessive pressure, which in this case, focuses on hands because it is the area of more mobility of the body. You can also associate this condition with an attitude of not wanting to drop or let go of something in life.
- Some bruises or fractures that can occupy the space can cause carpal syndrome.
Natural Treatments:
This condition can be treated very effectively by a treatment of bio-energy, a therapy that helps, by a therapeutic massage, to reduce physical and emotional stress, helping to restore the health of tendons and nerves in this area.
Acupuncture and reflexology are treatments that work great at stimulating energy meridians to release blockages in this area that prevent the proper functioning of nerves and tendons.
A proper diet is undoubtedly essential in addition to any alternatives for curing this disease. It is necessary to use a cleansing diet to help reduce inflammation and nourish the nerve and to lower the irritation of the tendons, so you should not eat no sugar or refined flour, and avoid animal fats for the moment, such as milk, beef, cheese, meats, sausages, fried, etc. It is necessary to include foods that nourish the nervous system such as fish, vegetable oil and milk, nuts, fresh vegetables, fruits and seeds.
Therapeutic board: this tablet provides relief of pain and numbness of this syndrome and it is an alternative treatment to help treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Practice daily physical activity which helps to slacken the entire body and allows blood and energy to flow more efficiently, helping to relieve stress, tension and even anger that often remain stored in the body causing a silent but latent pressure on the system nervous.