Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) typically manifests as pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of the hand and wrist.
It is more common in men than women and is increasingly common with age.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow space between the bones and ligaments of the forearm where they meet the wrist on the inside of the arm. On the inside of the wrist a ligament called the flexor retinaculum forms a bridge between the carpal bones of the wrist and lines the carpal tunnel itself. The tendons of the flexor muscles of the hand and the median nerve which serves the hand pass through this space.

If inflammation occurs in the tissues lining or passing through this space, swelling of connective tissues in the carpal tunnel, such as ligaments and tendons, can cause compression of the median nerve which leads to the typical symptoms of CTS.

Causes of CTS

any activity involving prolonged repetitive movements of the tendons of the flexor muscles of the hands eg. excessive typing, or any repetitive work which involves excessive use of the fingers.
It is also common in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, but in this case it is the effects of hormonal changes which cause swelling in the carpal tunnel. In this case the CTS will clear up once birth has taken place.
It can also have a hereditary element in that some people are born with a narrow carpal tunnel therefore will be more prone.

Other causes may include arthritis, gout, alcoholism, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hemodialysis, wrist fracture, dislocation or deformity, amyloid (abnormal protein) deposits or a mass (tumor) in the carpal tunnel.

Treatments for CTS

Surgery is invasive and risks causing nerve damage as it involves physically scraping away the inside lining of the carpal tunnel.

Acupuncture can be a very effective technique for successfully treating CTS.

Traditional acupuncture theory states that acupuncture moves Qi (energy) which in turn moves the blood. Pain is interpreted as impedance or blockage of the flow of Qi or Blood. In painful syndromes such as CTS the impedance or blockage to the flow is caused by inflammation and swelling of the tissues in and around the carpal tunnel putting pressure on the median nerve causing pain, numbness and tingling.

Acupuncture helps resolve the root cause of CTS by enhancing blood flow through and around the carpal tunnel removing any accumulated fluids and inflammatory products which cause swelling of the tissues thereby reducing pressure on the median nerve and the symptoms it causes.