In order to study carpal tunnel syndrome we must first learn about general neuritis because carpal tunnel is localized neuritis.

Supplements should include large quantities of B-complex, including B1, B2, B6, B12, and Niacin, all of which are in Stress Formula/Nutri-calm.  Additionally, Pantothenic Acid, calcium, magnesium, lecithin, silica, and less acidic forms of protein are often beneficial.

Louise Tenney reports that Gotu Kola is helpful in neuritis.              

Neuritis is considered to be a symptom rather than a disease and is defined as inflammation and/or deterioration of a nerve or bunch of nerves.  The symptoms of neuritis include pain, tingling, numbness, tenderness, redness, swelling, and in severe cases, convulsions.

Dr. Bernard Jensen says neuritis always happens when the nerve fibres and the space around the nerves become over acid.  The acidity causes pain, swelling, interference of nerve impulse transmission and sometimes loss of feeling. 

Acid can build up in tissues as a result of many things.  Trauma to the area, a broken bone, diabetes, gout, leukemia, mercury poisoning, lead poisoning, and methyl alcohol poisoning, deficiency of B complex vitamins, and strenuous repetitive use of a joint can lead to the acid build up that can cause neuritis.

Dr. Paavo Airola provides more ideas as to possible causes of neuritis citing nutritional deficiencies, such as B complex deficiency, but especially thiamine and B6, metabolic disturbances, faulty calcium metabolism, chronic acidosis, and faulty phospholipid metabolism.  Other less cryptic causes include poor posture, sleeping in strange positions, or sleeping on too soft of a mattress.

Dr. Jensen states specifically that organic sodium must be included in the diet in large quantities to destroy the hyperacid level of the tissue.  The most highly recommended food for this purpose is raw celery.  Most salad vegetables (excluding iceberg lettuce) contain a fair amount of organic sodium, and black cherries and theit juice are well-known to release acid from tissues.

Dr. Airola recommends a diet of "buckwheat, brown rice, raw seeds and nuts, especially almonds.  Raw fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, artichokes, raw milk, especially in soured form, and 1 cup of homemade cottage cheese a day." as being beneficial (Airola, p. 135).  Other dietary considerations include using fresh juices of carrot, beet, apple, and pineapple.  Things to avoid include coffee, carbonated beverages, caffeine, sugar, white flour, salt and cigarettes as these are acid-forming.

Recommended therapies include dry skin brushing, hot and cold Kneipp baths, and mild exercise.

Carpal is the official term for the wrist.  (The metacarpals are the bones of the hand.)  Carpal tunnel syndrome is the inflammation of the nerve that sits between the tendons of the forearm muscles that flex the hand and the transverse superficial carpal ligament.  If this nerve becomes inflamed, it creates pressure between the muscles and ligaments and causes pain in the wrist and palm, which can radiate pain up the forearm.  It is common to have decreased sensation in the palm side of the little, ring, and middle fingers. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also seen in acromegaly which is a condition wherein the feet, hands and face grow due to an excessive amount of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.  Myxedema, which is often found in extreme cases of hypothyroidism, can also cause this condition.  Pregnancy, with the changes it can produce in body fluids, also can lead to this problem.  Women are about four times as likely as men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. 

The common medical treatment is surgery in which the ligaments in the wrist are cut to relieve the pressure on the nerve.  Of course, this still leaves the neuritis and chemical imbalance that created the problem in the first place. Dr. Lendon Smith specifically states that vitamin B6, up to 300 mg per day, taken for 3 to 4 weeks should help to reduce the inflammation and possibly eliminate the need for surgery.  Massage may also be helpful, but tends to work only on the symptom and not the cause.  If surgery has already been performed, taking B6 for two or three weeks will help to reduce the remaining neuritis.

It also makes sense, since this is a nerve and inflammation problem to use nervine herbs like hops, valerian, and passion flower (HVP), or combination eight, or RE-X.  Both Eight and RE-X are especially helpful in alleviating the pain.  Gotu Kola may also be helpful in building the nerves.  Stress Formula with its high compliment of B vitamins provides the base of B-vitamins necessary to initiate healing. Of course it makes sense to add extra B6 as Dr. Smith recommends.  Yucca is one of my favourite herbs for stimulating the natural production of anti-inflammatories.  This is helpful in reducing the pain by taking the inflammation down. 

A healthful diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, with lots of good, clean water to drink would help to reduce the acids that cause inflammation.  Liquid chlorophyll, red clover, All Cell Detox  all help to remove acids from the body.  Hydrated bentonite removes heavy metals, as does Heavy Metal Detox and can be used if heavy metal poisoning is thought to be the cause of the problem.

Collatrim is one of my favourite supplements for soft tissue issues of any description. It helps to rebuild the tissue healthfully. I also favour Zambroza (Thai Go) for its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Topically, Tei Fu Oil or Tei fu Massage Lotion can provide relief of symptoms.

Every physical problem also has mental/emotional causes and reactions.  Louise Hay says that carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by "Anger and frustration at life's seeming injustices."  An affirmation she has written that may be helpful is "I now choose to create a life that is joyous and abundant.  I am at ease."

Carpal tunnel syndrome and neuritis in general need not cripple or disable anyone.  Dietary changes and the proper supplements can have a tremendous impact on this problem.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Concise Medical Dictionary.  Oxford University Press.  Oxford, UK, 1985.

The Merck Manual, seventeenth edition.  Merck & Co., Inc.  Rahway, N.J.  1999.

Today's Herbs.  Woodland Books.  Provo, Utah., Vol X, No.7.

Airola. Paavo.  How to Get Well.  Health Plus, Publishers.  Sherwood, Oregon.  1974

Balch, James and Balch, Phyllis.  Prescription for Nutritional Healing.  Avery Publishing Group, Inc. Garden City Park, NY  2006

Dunne, Lavon J.  Nutrition Almanac, fourth edition.  McGraw Hill Publishing Company.  New York.  1996

Hay, Louise.  Heal Your Body.  Hay House, Inc.  Santa Monica, CA.  1984

Jensen, Bernard.  The Chemistry of Man.  Bernard Jensen.  Escondido, CA.  1983

Mervyn, Leonard.  Thorsons Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.  Thorsons Publishers, Inc.  Rochester, Vermont.  1987.

Smith, Lendon.  Feed Yourself Right.  Dell Publishing Co., Inc.  New York. 1983.