Hilary, a 45-year-old avid knitter, faced a disheartening challenge: severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in both of her hands. For two years, this condition caused her significant pain and discomfort, threatening to put an end to her beloved hobby. Unwilling to consider surgery and determined to continue knitting, Hilary sought alternative treatment. Her journey led her to acupuncture, a decision that would ultimately restore her quality of life and allow her to continue her passion pain-free. This carpal tunnel case report describes her experience.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition characterized by the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This narrow passageway is surrounded by bones and ligaments, and any swelling or inflammation can increase pressure on the nerve. Common symptoms of CTS include tingling, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Patients often experience these symptoms at night, which can disrupt sleep. As the condition progresses, weakness in the hand and a decrease in grip strength can occur, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Carpal Tunnel Case Report
Hilary’s symptoms were classic and severe. She experienced constant tingling and numbness, making it challenging to perform not only her knitting but also routine activities such as typing and cooking. The pain would often wake her up at night, leaving her fatigued and frustrated. Seeking relief, she explored various non-surgical options, including wrist splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy, but nothing provided lasting relief.
Carpal Tunnel Acupuncture Treatment
Desperate to avoid surgery, Hilary turned to acupuncture. At her first visit to our clinic, we explained that acupuncture could effectively treat carpal tunnel syndrome by addressing the underlying causes of the pain and promoting natural healing. Acupuncture is based on the principle of balancing the body’s energy, or Qi, by stimulating specific points on the body with fine needles. This practice can help open blocked channels, or meridians, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.
We tailored a treatment plan in this carpal tunnel case report specifically for Hilary, consisting of eight sessions of acupuncture. Each session lasted about 45 minutes. The practitioner used electroacupuncture to enhance the treatment’s effects. Electroacupuncture involves the application of a small electric current to the needles, which can increase the treatment’s effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation. This technique is particularly beneficial for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, where nerve involvement is significant.
Carpal Tunnel Case Progress
During the initial session, we inserted needles into acupuncture points along the Pericardium channel of Hilary’s arms, wrists, and hands. These points were chosen to target the pathways of the median nerve and alleviate the compression within the carpal tunnel. The needles were then connected to a device that delivered a gentle electric current. Hilary described the sensation as a mild tingling, which was not painful but rather soothing.
After just one session, Hilary noticed a 20% reduction in her symptoms. Encouraged by this early sign of improvement, she continued with the treatment plan. By the fourth session, the tingling and numbness had decreased by 60%, and she experienced fewer nighttime disturbances. By the eighth and final session, Hilary’s symptoms had resolved completely. She no longer felt pain, tingling, or numbness in her hands, and her grip strength had returned to normal. Most importantly, she could knit again without discomfort.
Acupuncture Reduces Nerve Pain Best
The success of Hilary’s treatment in this carpal tunnel case report can be attributed to acupuncture’s ability to reduce nerve pain and inflammation while promoting blood circulation in the affected area. In addition, the needles’ insertion at specific acupoints helps release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and stimulates the nervous system to release neurotransmitters that can alter the perception of pain.
Electroacupuncture, with its additional electric current, further enhances these effects by promoting deeper tissue stimulation and increasing blood flow, which accelerates the healing process.
Safety of Acupuncture
Hilary’s carpal tunnel case report highlights the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Throughout her treatment, she experienced no adverse side effects, a notable advantage over more invasive procedures like surgery. The non-surgical approach also meant no recovery time, allowing Hilary to maintain her daily activities and continue working.
Two years after her last acupuncture session, Hilary remains free of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. She continues to knit passionately and has not experienced any recurrence of pain or numbness. Her successful treatment with acupuncture allowed her to avoid the potential risks and complications associated with carpal tunnel surgery, such as infection, nerve damage, and prolonged recovery.
Carpal Tunnel Case Conclusion
Hilary’s story serves as a testament to the potential of acupuncture as a viable and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. It offers hope to others suffering from similar conditions, emphasizing that non-invasive, holistic approaches can provide significant relief and improve quality of life.
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What our Clients are Saying
I’m a massage therapist and never had a problem with wrist or hand pain until last year. My whole hand (right worse than left) starting throbbing and going numb with searing pain through the wrist, thumb and pointer finger. It was waking me several nights a week and interfering with my work. I started getting treated at Raleigh Acupuncture. It has dramatically reduced my pain, to the point where I can work and am not waking up at night. I think the nature of my work puts alot of strain on my wrists, but I’m not ready to give up my profession. I’ll need regular acupuncture for this, but I don’t mind. It’s the only thing that’s helped.
I’m a computer programmer and have been sitting at a desk working a mouse for years. It finally caught up with me a few months ago. I developed a terrible pain in my wrist that made my whole hand go numb, especially at night. The acupuncturist said the condition was easy to treat. My friend had surgery for the same thing. I figured I might as well try a few treatments. That’s all it took. The pain went away and hasn’t returned. Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture!
Raleigh Acupuncture cured my carpal tunnel syndrome for good! This has been plaguing me for years, waking me at night. My hands would go numb and shooting pains would go up my arms. I was nervous about the treatments beforehand, but they babied me! It wasn’t bad at all. Anyway, the pain is gone, gone, gone! I’m hooked on acupuncture now.
