Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the common diseases affecting the upper extremities due to the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist at the carpal tunnel.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage on the palmar surface of the wrist formed by bones and connective tissue. Many tendons and the median nerve pass through this tunnel. When one or more tendons swell or degenerate, the canal gets narrowed. As a result, median nerve compression occurs, resulting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

It affects 3% of the general adult population, with predominance in females.

Causative factors

The prime causative factor for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the overuse of the wrist joint. It includes:

• Daily household activities.
• Work with the use of vibrating tools.
• Activities that require a strong grip such as computer work with a mouse, prolonged writing, sewing, playing instruments, etc.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome also occurs as a result of the thickening of connective tissue or infiltration of peripheral nerves by amyloids such as primary (AL) and chronic haemodialysis amyloid.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is seen associated with pregnancy, edema, trauma, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, hypothyroidism, malunited Colle’s fracture, and diabetes mellitus.

Clinical features

• Pain, numbness, tingling sensation, and burning sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger.
• The symptoms start gradually and are aggravated at night.
• In later stages the affected individual may experience pain extending to the arm.
• Wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb is seen in later stages.
• The affected individual also experiences a weak grip in performing activities.
• The condition is often in both wrists together.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Ayurveda

The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be correlated to the symptoms occurring due to vitiation of the vata dosha. The provoked vata dosha produces pain, tingling sensation, wasting of the muscles, weak grip, etc which can also be seen as the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Along with the vitiation of the vata dosha, the symptoms of aggravated kapha dosha are also seen in this disease.

The later stages of the disease can be correlated to the ayurvedic disease Viswachi and Ekangavata.

Line of treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be managed by the bringing the vitiated vata dosha back to normalcy. The line of treatment for the management of vata vyadhi can also be adopted.

Our external ayurvedic clinical treatments that are effective in the management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are:

1. Abhyanga: This process involves massaging the affected area with medicated oil for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Swedana: Fomentation can be given on the affected pat using medicated herbs. The various fomentation method that can be adopted are Patra Pinda Sweda, Shastika Sali Pinda Sweda, Nadi Sweda and Pariseka Sweda.
3. Upanaha: Medicated herbs or powder can be tied and left in the wrist joints as time prescribed by the physician.
4. Dhara: Pouring medicated decotion, oil or milk to the affected area. Kashaya Dhara, Taila Dhara and other Organic Essential Oils are advised for Vata and Kapha predominant symptoms.
5. Lepa: Application of medicated paste on the wrist joint.
6. Greeva Vasti – The process of retaining medicated oils on the cervical spine is recommended for soothing the nerves whose branches control the upper limb including hands, wrist and fingers.
7. Bandhana: Bandaging the area alone or after application with medicinal oils or herbs.
8. Agni karma: Agni karma can be performed as a last resort for the management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Along with these ayurveda therapies, intake of Ayurvedic medicinal supplements is also necessary for the management of the disease.

Precautions and lifestyle modifications to be taken

Along with the therapeutic approach, lifestyle modifications are necessary for the management for the disease. Some of them are:

1. Use wrist splint at night.
2. Reduce light, dry, and cold food.
3. Massage the affected part daily.
4. Reduce the activities that cause strain to the wrist joint.
5. Apply ice on wrist joint for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
6. Avoid alcohol and caffeine from the diet

Conclusion

The earlier the treatment starts, the better the results are. Our primary aim focuses on treating the patients at their initial stage to clear the inflammation and relax the muscles in the wrist region. This requires some exercises and physical procedures including oil massages. A condition-specific physical therapy routine incorporating yoga and strictly following diet in the patient’s routine will completely manage this condition.

Contact our Ayurveda practitioners at Ayurclinic Melbourne for any questions you have about this condition.  For a detailed consultation and treatment to help you overcome carpal tunnel syndrome, you can consult us online or call us: +61 3 9078 2940