how can carpal tunnel - numbness of the fingers and thumb- be alleviated without surgery??!!??

Question

I HAVE THE WRIST WRAP AND TAKE IBUPROFEN SPARINGLY

Answer 1

The first step is to identify the activity or activities that are causing the irritation in the first place and correcting/avoiding them. Carpal tunnel is usually associated with activities where the wrist is held in an abnormal upright ****** position, like when you are typing on a keyboard. Using a wrist support to type, or consider one of the new keyboards. Repetitive motions as seen in assembly line jobs also can cause the problem. You will need to wear your wrist strap all the time until the problem goes away- and even then it is useful to wear when you have to do something you know will irritate it.
As well as identifying and eliminating the causes of the problem, you have to deal with alleviating the swelling and irritation that are already present. The ibuprofen you are using is excellent for doing just this, but you need to take it more than sparingly. A doctor can also prescribe other anti-inflammatory drugs to use. If you wish to avoid surgery, you need to get the inflammation a chance to go down and quit irritating it in the meantime. If the inflammation can't be controlled, surgery becomes the only option to prevent permanent nerve damage to the main nerve of the hand. Most doctors will try to work with you to avoid surgical intervention, but you have to have it evaluated properly and follow their instructions. It may also happen that you try everything and nothing works, or you already have enough nerve damage that a surgical repair is the only option- but you won't know until it is completely and properly evaluated by the doctor.

Answer 2

In a study at the University of Pennsylvania, yoga was shown to be as effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome as surgery. (I feel sorry for the people who had the surgery, don't you?)

Here is one exercise that will help. Reach your arms as straight overhead as you can. The arms must be straight though, so if you can't get them over head, don't worry--keep your arms straight. Spread all your fingers out wide, then squeeze your hands into fists. Repeat 10 times a day for a couple of days, and then do morning and evening 10 times.
Find a gentle or therapeutic yoga class.
And don't give up--I used to have ulnar tunnel problems (numbness of 3rd, 4th and little fingers) and it completely cleared up using yoga, and no surgery. I wish you the best!

Answer 3

I have tendinitis in both my wrists too and I never had numbness. I don't think you have carpal tunnel syndrome because you don't have the numbness. A doc told me I had CTS but he didn't know what he was talking about. Everyone else told me just tendinitis and since both conditions are the same thing except CTS has numbness. I got tendinitis too from lifting boxes around. I only got better from not working that job anymore. The recovery was very slow and had to stop working all together for a year. I don't have the intense pain anymore, but I still do have slight pain. I don't think it will ever go away but it's manageable. I don't take pain killers that's for sure and before I would take a ton. And they don't fix the problem either.

Answer 4

One thing that is HIGHLY beneficial for many people suffering from carpal tunnel is having their neck adjusted by a chiropracter. Of course it's not going to work perfectly for every patient, but I would surely try it before considering a surgery! Good luck!

Answer 5

Physician prescribed 600mg ibuprofen daily for me. After approximately one month my symptoms drastically decreased. I took the ibuprofen as prescribed and used the splints regularly. The splints worked better for me than the wraps. Now 4 years later, I rarely have symptoms and 200mg (two OTC tabs) ibuprofen takes care of that.
Are you pregnant or recently gave birth? I ask because carpal tunnel is common with pregnancy and usually gets better with time.
Check with your physician prior to taking ibuprofen especially prescription strength because there are some people who can not take regular doses of ibuprofen.
Wish you luck and pray you don't require surgery.

Answer 6

woman walking weights are by design held in the hands well, this should be done at night to stop you involuntary movement straying you in you sleep. I've never tried to reverse the fingers to beyond an open position and have a devise hold the fingers reversed in pressures but it is this over clinching and the stress on the neural synapse that are inflamed. say nice things to your hand and resolve your emotion to somewhere else in the body that can take the stress for a while, more b-complex,Tylenol3

Answer 7

you can avoid things that may have triggered the carpal tunnel in the first place, eg if you are a typist, consider changing jobs etc, otherwise surgery is really minor, good luck

Answer 8

I still feel the numbness, and so warding off the pain. I wear a brace, and take B-12 daily .. I hear B-12 improves circulation and improves joint pain.. GLuck I am in the same boat, I have no intention of letting my boat sink.

Answer 9

I know that this sounds strange, but the stings of stinging nettles are very good for it. If you can bear it sting the affected area with nettles ever couple of days or so. Do not use dock leaves to counter the stings. It hurts, but it works wonders.
Copper bracelets are also good for this.

why is everyone being so judgemental about this suggestion? This is am alternative medicine section, I did say and I admit that it is a bit odd, but it REALLY works, give it a try

Answer 10

I have this problem too . I use braces witch are made for this condition . I also take aspirin or Advil but you should see your doctor before taking any pills . But go get the brace and use it for as long as you can .Also try to rest your hands . Good luck .