Cause: Caused by pressure exerted on the medial nerve.

Useful Supplements: Vitamin B6.

Useful Herbs:

Further information: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), also known as Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), is characterized by pressure on the median nerve, which supplies sensation and movement to the thumb, index, and middle finger. The carpal tunnel is the gab through which this nerve travels to reach the hand. In CTS, the tissue around this gap swells, causing compression of the median nerve.

Symptoms of CTS can include pain in the hand, difficulty moving the hand, and numbness. The condition is quite common, often appearing among people who perform repetitive hand motions (typing, sewing, writing, etc.). It appears to be most prevalent among women, and has a higher incidence during pregnancy and in people with arthritis, diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure.

Proper hand position, frequent breaks, and avoidance or reduction of repetitive wrist movement are the best way to avoid developing CTS.

Treatment for CTS ranges from simply avoiding painful injuries to surgery. In some cases, anti-inflammatory medications offer enough relief to avoid surgical procedures.

While herbs and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties may help ease the pain associated with CTS, only Vitamin B6 has been shown to specifically work with CTS symptoms. Many patients with CTS have shown signs of B6 deficiency.¹ 100mg of B6 taken three times daily has been shown to offer great relief of pain and other symptoms.² Other studies suggest that lower dosages are also effective.³ If a lower dose is effective, this is probably the best approach, as high levels of Vitamin B6 supplementation can cause nerve damage.^4,5 In most people, supplementation of up to 500 mg of Vitamin B6 daily is safe,⁶ but it is best to check with a health professional before taking high dosage supplements of this vitamin for an extended period of time.

References:

¹Fuhr JF, Farrow A, Nelson HS. Vitamin B6 levels in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Surg 1989;124:1329-30.
²Ellis JM, Azuma J, Watanbe T, Folkers K. Survey and new data on treatment with pyridoxine of patients having a clinical syndrome including the carpal tunnel and other defects. Res Comm Chem Path Pharm 1977;17(1):165-77.
³D’Souza M. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical or neurophysiological diagnosis. Lancet 1985;i:1104-5.
⁴Parry G, Bredesen DE. Sensory neuropath with low-dose pyridoxine. Neurology 1985;35:1466–68.
⁵Schaumburg H, Kaplan J, Windebank A, et al. Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. N Engl J Med 1983;309(8):445–48.
⁶Gaby AR. Literature review & commentary. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Jun 1990:338–39.