Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is especially effective in relieving chronic pain associated with tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition characterized by pain, tingling, and numbness radiating into the areas of the hand, fingers, and sometimes up into the elbow. The painful sensations of CTS are caused by the compression of the median nerve in the tunnel of bones in the wrist. In many cases, the condition results from long-term repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, such as long-term computer usage.

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Conventional treatment for CTS will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of the underlying condition that caused the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs and wrist splints may be prescribed to manage the symptoms, and in certain cases, a corticosteroid may be injected into the local area. In the advanced stage, surgery might be recommended to release the pressure in the carpal tunnel to avoid permanent nerve damage.

Most of my patients come to my office because of computer-related injuries. These include CTS, stiff neck, and tight shoulders and back. This is caused by poor posture and non-ergonomic workstation layout. We have successfully used Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine to treat our patients with these conditions. This is a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatment. A minimum of several treatments is usually required to achieve a cumulative, enduring effect.

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Studies have found that acupuncture reduces edema (a swelling of the soft tissue). Other scientific experiments have suggested that acupuncture can stimulate the production of cortisol, a hormone that reduces pain and inflammation. Since soft tissue swelling and inflammation in the carpal tunnel often cause median nerve impingement, acupuncture is certainly a treatment option to consider, especially for the those in the early stages of CTS.