2) Acupressure
Acupressure is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Instead of applying needles to acupuncture points, pressure is applied, which is thought to stimulate blood flow to the wrists and hands and ease numbness and swelling in the area.
Acupressure points for carpal tunnel syndrome are typically on the wrists, forearms and hands.
Here is an example of how to do acupressure for carpal tunnel syndrome.
3) Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Also known as ALA, alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant produced naturally in the body and also available in supplement form. Preliminary research
has explored the use of alpha-lipoic acid in combination with gamma-linolenic acid for carpal tunnel syndrome. Although improvement in symptoms have been noted, studies have not had a placebo
control group, making the findings inconclusive.
4) Vitamin B6
There are various theories behind the use of vitamin B6 supplementation for carpal tunnel syndrome. Some proponents claim that vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, while others hypothesize that vitamin B6 promotes pain relief due to it's anti-nociceptive properties (which reduce sensitivity to pain). It has also been suggested that vitamin B6 supplementation may provide relief because it addresses an undetected peripheral neuropathy (a condition that causes damage to the peripheral nerves).
So far, research on the effectiveness of vitamin B6 supplementation has been mixed. At least two studies have found that vitamin B6 didn't significantly improve symptoms.
Found in a wide variety of foods, the richest sources of vitamin B6 are fish, organ meats, potatoes other starchy vegetables, fortified cereals, beef, poultry, and some fruits such as bananas and mangoes.
Although some sources say that vitamin B6 supplementation under 200 mg/day is not likely to result in adverse effects, it's important to discuss whether supplementation might be appropriate for you before trying it. High doses have resulted in nerve damage in some individuals. People taking B6 supplements for extended periods should be monitored by their health care provider.
5) Yoga
Preliminary studies have explored whether yoga can be helpful for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the effectiveness of yoga for 42 people with carpal tunnel syndrome. People in the yoga group did 11 yoga postures, designed for strengthening, stretching, and balancing each joint in the upper body, twice weekly for 8 weeks.
Those in the control group wore wrist splints. At the end of the eight weeks, people in the yoga group had significant improvement in grip strength and pain, and there was improvement in the Phalen sign.
6) Chiropractic
A study compared chiropractic care to conservative care (ibuprofen and night-time wrist supports) in 91 people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractic care included manipulation of the soft tissues and body joints of the arms and spine, ultrasound over the carpal tunnel, and night-time wrist supports. Researchers concluded that chiropractic was as effective as conventional care for carpal tunnel syndrome.
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