carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is no ‘minor hindrance’ for those that suffer from this debilitating condition. Creative Commons/ Olimane

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is no ‘minor hindrance’ for those that suffer from this debilitating condition. The causes of CTS can vary, but there are some other common conditions that can exacerbate the symptoms, such as arthritis, diabetes, and obesity.

Anything that could put pressure on the median nerve in the wrist can make the condition worse, leading to numbness and pain in the thumb, index, and middle finger, along with weakness of grip and in some extreme cases, eventually the muscles at the base of the thumbs can waste away.

Those of us who are most likely to experience CTS are people who suffer from the aforementioned medical conditions, but equally, people who exercise and even those who use keyboards for long periods of time can find themselves developing these symptoms, along with anyone who regularly uses vibrating tools. Suffering from CTS can be debilitating, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to new scientific breakthroughs, and interestingly, a surge in natural remedies.

Natural alternative treatments

Looking to nature for answers to our medical questions shouldn't surprise anyone. In recent times you only need look at the growth of organic food in our supermarkets to know that we are paying more attention to what we put in our bodies, and the medical field is just starting to see the same trends appear.

A new company called CBDMEDIC ™ was created by the demand to develop safe products that are not risky prescription drugs. Their products are creams and ointments that help relief pain temporarily after being applied to the affected area. For consumers looking for alternatives to OTC synthetic drugs (Over The Counter), these sorts of creams are proving to be a popular option. Long term use of some traditional OTC medicines can result in addiction, and in turn, can actually be detrimental to one's health.

A quick glance at the stories surrounding the current opioid epidemic sweeping the United States is enough to make most of us realize that having some alternative therapies might be the new future of medicine.

Other ways of treating CTS include the use of ultrasound to heat the joint, which can potentially aid the recovery time for sufferers; acupuncture, and even laser therapy. While some of these treatments need further testing to prove their effectiveness either way, the more we start to understand CTS, the easier it has become to recognise the triggers and in turn prevent the onset of the condition.

Carpal_Tunnel_Syndrome
The causes of CTS can vary, but there are some other common conditions that can exacerbate the symptoms. Creative Commons/ Bruce Blaus

Yoga and massage are high on the list of preventative measures that can stop CTS getting worse, and help alleviate the associated pain. Resting the joint will also allow the body to naturally recuperate, although that can prove difficult for those who suffer from CTS brought on by their work environment. The use of wrist splints or braces can help those who work at a keyboard for long periods of time, but for anyone whose CTS is brought on by vibrating machinery, the advice it to wear thicker gloves, although softening the vibrations from the machine should be the first port of call.

More options bring better results

Traditional OTC medicines aren't going anywhere for now, and that isn't a bad thing either. They work well for the majority of users, but being able to try something more natural at first, or for those who experience side effects from the more synthetic drugs, simply having a different option will allow more CTS sufferers to find solace in one treatment or another.

Unlike other injuries, CTS affects an area of the body that is almost always in use, and as such, it can be difficult for suffers to both rest the wrist and also continue to go about their normal lives. Each person is different in the degree of pain they endure, and also what will work for them, treatment-wise. Having as many options on the table as possible is something that we can all agree, is a good thing.

Prevention is still the best option when it comes to any medical condition, but if you find yourself suffering from CTS in the future, the wide variety of treatments now available should mean that the condition doesn't have to rule your life.