Get Relief from Repetitive Stress Injuries with Acupuncture
Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are the most common job-related
injuries and are responsible for the highest number of days lost among
all work related injuries. One of the most well-known types of
repetitive stress injury, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) accounts for over
two million visits to physicians' offices and approximately 465,000
carpal tunnel release operations each year, making it the most frequent
surgery of the hand and wrist.
Symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include tightness, stiffness,
pain, tingling, numbness, coldness and loss of strength in the arm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that refers
specifically to the inflammation of a specific ligament that puts
pressure on the median nerve.
Acupuncture is extremely effective for treating repetitive stress
injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome; eliminating the need for
surgery or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In
fact, one of the most common reasons that people get acupuncture is for
repetitive stress injuries. Recent studies even suggest that
acupuncture may be more effective than corticosteroids when it comes to
treating CTS.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist made up of
ligaments and bones. The median nerve and the tendons that connect the
fingers to the muscles of the forearm pass through this tightly spaced
tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve entrapment, occurs
when swelling or irritation of the tendons in the carpal tunnel results
in pressure on the median nerve causing pain in the palm side of the
wrist and pain and tingling in the fingers. The median nerve controls
sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as
impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and
thumb to move.
Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or
numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the index,
middle and ring fingers. Pain can sometimes travel up the arm and
affect the shoulder. The symptoms often first appear during the night.
As symptoms worsen, people might feel pain, weakness, or numbness in
the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm during the day. Decreased grip
strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or
perform other manual tasks. If not properly treated, CTS can cause
irreversible nerve damage and permanent deterioration of muscle tissue.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Repetitive Stress Injuries with Acupuncture
From an Oriental medicine perspective, a repetitive stress injury is
seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi and Blood (Xue) within the area
and associated with cold, dampness or wind penetrating the muscles and
sinews. Acupuncture points, stretching exercises, herbal remedies and
nutritional supplements are chosen to treat accordingly.
In addition to reducing the swelling, inflammation and pain, acupuncture
addresses any headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and sleeping
problems that often accompany this condition. Your treatment may also
take into account any underlying conditions that contribute to the
development of RSI including posture, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis,
thyroid problems, diabetes, and hormonal changes of pregnancy and
menopause.
If you or someone you know suffers from a repetitive stress injury,
please call to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine
can help you.
Acupuncture Effective in Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
According to a randomized, controlled study published in the May 2009
issue of the Clinical Journal of Pain, acupuncture is as effective as
the corticosteroid, prednisone, for the treatment of carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS).
The study investigated the efficacy of acupuncture compared with steroid
treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome as
measured by both nerve conduction studies and symptom assessment
surveys. One group received eight acupuncture treatments over four
weeks, and the other group received daily oral doses of prednisone for
four weeks.
Results showed that acupuncture was just as effective as the
corticosteroid for pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. For the
symptoms of night time awakening and motor function, the acupuncture
group had better results.
Researchers concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment
option for CTS for those who experience side effects to oral steroids
or for those who do not wish to undergo surgery.
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In This Issue
- Get Relief from Repetitive Stress Injuries with Acupuncture
- Acupuncture Effective in Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Reduce Your Repetitive Stress Injury Risk
Reduce Your Repetitive Stress Injury Risk
Managing repetitive stress injuries often requires some lifestyle
changes, and it can take time to work out a strategy that works best for
you.
Here are a few minor changes you can implement to minimize stress on your hands and wrists:
Alternate Tasks - Avoid doing the same task for more than a
couple of hours at a time and alternate between tasks that use different
muscle groups where possible.
Fatigue is a sign that you need to take a break. Take small breaks to
gently stretch and bend your hands and wrists and readjust your
position.
Reduce Pressure - Many people use more force than needed to
perform tasks involving their hands, which can increase pressure and
cause irritation. Be mindful of the speed and amount of pressure used
to perform tasks. Ease up, slow down, and grip using your palm or whole
hand to distribute the load. If using tools such as riveters or
jackhammers for extended periods, take frequent breaks or operate the
tool at a speed that causes the least amount of vibration.
Cultivate Good Posture - Incorrect posture can cause your
shoulders to roll forward, shortening neck and shoulder muscles and
compressing nerves in your neck, which can affect your wrists, hands,
and fingers.
Shoulders and neck should be relaxed to open the chest and allow your
head to float upwards without strain. When using a keyboard, wrists
should be in a relaxed middle position and in a straight line with your
forearms at elbow height or slightly lower.
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