Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

acupuncture-for-carpal-tunnel

Are you struggling with numbness or tingling in your wrists, hands, and fingers? You may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS – which, if left untreated, can cause serious pain, discomfort, and even mobility problems. Thankfully, acupuncture for carpal tunnel has proven to be highly beneficial for relieving immediate pain and restoring full use of our hands.

While many people may use traditional painkillers or arm splints to help relieve CTS, ongoing research shows that acupuncture may be just as effective for short and long-term respite. When booking professional CTS treatment with a licensed acupuncturist, you can be sure you’re taking the best steps towards a pain-free future.

What are the benefits of acupuncture for carpal tunnel?

Acupuncture is a gentle, non-surgical treatment for CTS that is proven to offer remarkable long-term pain relief – and extra flexibility – to sufferers.

CTS can develop into a chronic condition causing serious pain in the median nerves of hands and forearms. Sufferers may typically receive treatment in the form of anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy exercises, and even surgery depending on the severity of their condition. 

Thanks to breakthroughs in research in the past decade, we now know that traditional acupuncture can provide physical and neurological benefits to CTS patients.

Acupuncture can ‘remap’ your brain

Don’t worry – this is a good thing! Acupuncture directly targets motor points across your nervous system – where your brain sends signals traveling throughout your body.

Research published in Brain in 2017 shows that acupuncture may help to ‘remap the brain’ – and help it to change the pain signals it produces. This encourages your body to react differently to traditional pain receptors, effectively ‘blocking’ unnecessary signals.

Acupuncture can improve blood flow around your wrists and hands

By targeting these motor points, traditional acupuncture can help improve blood flow around an affected area. For people suffering from CTS, this means the median nerves in their wrists will normally be targeted during consultation.

CTS puts incredible pressure on the median nerve and allowing blood to flow freer, pain and stress relief is almost instant.

Acupuncture may heal damaged nerves in your hands

The Brain study further suggests that acupuncture targeting could help to encourage physical healing of damaged nerves. Other studies confirm additionally that it can help to stimulate both cell and collagen growth elsewhere in the body.

Acupuncture side effects are extremely rare

Acupuncture is a viable treatment option for many people with CTS thanks to its low risk of side effects. For people who may be allergic or resistant to some medication, acupressure is proven to be a superb option.

Acupuncture may replace the need for some carpal tunnel pain medications

Research shows that acupuncture can help to relieve soreness and inflammation, which are major causes of discomfort in CTS sufferers. Interestingly, the Brain study further shows acupuncture and electrostimulation may be more effective in reducing swelling than traditional ibuprofen!

The benefits of acupuncture for carpal tunnel are almost immediate

By booking acupuncture for carpal tunnel, you’ll start to notice immediate pain relief – and with regular, targeted sessions, you can expect to regain incredible function and flexibility. That’s great news for working people, athletes, and those of us who simply want to live without pain and restriction!

What can I expect from my acupuncture session?

On your first visit for CTS acupuncture, we’ll invite you to lie in a relaxed position, and will guide you through the motor points to be targeted.

Acupuncture needles will gently press into selected points in your hands, wrists and/or arms. These will only enter the skin by up to half an inch. We will typically target needles in both arms during the practice – following traditional symmetry principles that are integral to ancient acupuncture.

You’ll normally feel a warming pressure during the treatment, and some needles may be moved during the process. At the end of your treatment, we will carefully remove your needles, disposing of them responsibly.

You’ll also get the chance to learn more about aftercare, and what you can do to help progress your healing from carpal tunnel before your next session.

When should I book acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome?

It’s a great idea to book an acupuncture session for carpal tunnel as soon as you notice symptoms emerging. This may include slight tingling or a feeling of swelling in your fingers and hands, or traveling, shooting pains up and down your arms. These symptoms will appear gradually, and can worsen at night, or when you wake up in the morning.

The earlier you treat CTS, the sooner you will prevent further damage to your median nerve(s). Additionally, earlier treatment will often mean your treatment program is much shorter, and you can quickly get back to doing the things you enjoy. 

Carpal tunnel is also unlikely to go away on its own, which is why asking for help is always recommended if you’re concerned.

How long will it take for acupuncture to heal my carpal tunnel?

CTS severity varies largely from person to person, though many people will experience improvements within just a few sessions of regular acupuncture. Several months of regular treatment will also promote long-term pain management and healing.

At Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture, we take the time to carefully assess your physical strength as well as your specific needs and expectations. Different bodily factors – and even your lifestyle – can change the length of your treatment program. Therefore, we’ll ensure you are fully assessed before any treatment begins.

More severe cases of CTS may require dual treatment of acupuncture and splinting, and you may also benefit from medication alongside gentle acupuncture at the start of your healing journey. Rest assured, we’ll take you through everything you need to know, tailored to your specific needs.

Book your acupuncture appointment for CTS

At LycoAcu, we provide a range of acupuncture and needling therapies to help target weakened nerves, tissue and tendons across the body. CTS is a common concern for many of our visitors, and thankfully, it is a condition we can help to relieve in just a few sessions.

We’re on hand to help you with any concerns you may have regarding acupuncture and how it can remedy your CTS symptoms in the long run.

To book your first session of acupuncture for carpal tunnel, email us at info@lycoacu.com, or call our team on 570-244-4188.

Ready to get started?