What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem that affects the wrist and hand. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, tingling and numbness can make even simple tasks hard to perform. But carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated, and your symptoms can be controlled.

Learning about the carpal tunnel

The carpal tunnel is a narrow space inside the wrist that is surrounded by bone and ligament. This space lets certain tendons and a major nerve pass from the forearm into the hand. With carpal tunnel syndrome, the tendon sheaths may thicken and enlarge. This reduces the amount of space inside the carpal tunnel. As a result, the median nerve may be compressed.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Tingling and numbness are the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people also have hand pain or even a weakened grip. At first, symptoms may wake you up at night. Later, they may also occur during your daily routines. For instance, you may notice symptoms while you are driving or holding a newspaper. Your symptoms may become more severe over time.

Working with your doctor

Your doctor will perform an examination to learn more about your symptoms. Once your problem is diagnosed, you and your doctor can make a treatment plan. He or she can help you learn about symptom relief and surgery. If you have surgery, you are likely to go home the same day.

Laser Therapy and Carpal Tunnel

Published studies show that LLLT is often used on both acupuncture and trigger points. According to a August 1996 issue of Journal of Clinical Laser Medical Surgery, a Swiss laser center applied LLLT on trigger points and observed that the effect on shoulder and arm pain, as well as other conditions, exceeded expectations. Improvements occurred in both microcirculation and the oxygen supply to the trigger-point areas.

In addition, a study in the February 1999 edition of the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine concludes that when a combination of low-level laser acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, it reduced pain by more than 50 percent in 33 of 36 hands, including 14 that had failed to respond to surgery.

Laser acupuncture was also used in diabetic patients with angiopathies of the lower extremities. Among the results were pain reduction, increases in peripheral circulation and better functioning, according to Lik Sprava in October 1992.