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The Alternative Medicine Section |
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Alternative Medicine and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Part 2Physicians most often treat carpal tunnel syndrome with a combination of anti-inflammatory medications and splints. If symptoms are severe, doctors may use a steroid injection to alleviate inflammation, although this approach doesn’t cure the condition. Sometimes the only effective treatment for painful symptoms is surgery to free the affected nerve. Other medications typically prescribed for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naprox, or aspirin, which reduce the production of compounds that cause inflammation, called prostaglandins. However, side effects of NSAIDs include stomach upset or bleeding, and long-term use can lead to the development of stomach ulcers, and kidney and liver damage. Diuretics may also be prescribed to help relieve fluid retention, but these too have side effects associated with their use, including the development of an imbalance in electrolyte minerals, which can cause arrhythmia, as well as lowered blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar levels.The use of vitamin and or herbal supplements may help reduce the need for steroid anti-inflammatory and diuretic medications, and offer increased relief of other symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Many physicians and nutritionists consider vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), to be the gold standard of natural supplements for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. An estimated 40 to 90 percent of carpal tunnel syndrome patients may experience significant improvement through the use of vitamin B6 if it is taken during the beginning stages of this condition. Taking 25 milligrams of vitamn B6 (pyridoxine) three to four times daily has been shown to reduce the swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome can increase the effectiveness of vitamin B6 by taking a B-vitamin complex supplement—additional vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and biotin in the complex increases the effectiveness of vitamin B6 and helps improve circulation. However, note that taking more than 100 milligrams of B6 is not recommended without doctor supervision. Too much pyroxidine causes neurological problems such as numbness or tingling in the hands and feet and decreased motor skills. The symptoms usually go away if you cut back on the dose, but sometimes they’re permanent. Anyone with Parkinson’s disease should definitely not take vitamin B6 supplements, as it may interfere with the absorption of their levodopa medication. The average diet provides only about 1.4 milligrams of vitamin B6, and even foods high in B6, such as bananas, avacados, potatoes, beef, and chicken, contain only about a milligram per serving. Taking vitamin B6 supplements is the best way to receive the amounts of this nutrient necessary for relief of carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep in mind that it may take up to three months to see results from vitamin B6 supplemental treatment. Alternative Medicine & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Part 3 Return to Alternative Medicine & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Part 1 |
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