Ask The Doctor | Donate

back to conditions index

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

GENERAL

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness and tingling in the hand Night pain which may be relieved by shaking or exercising the hand which may occur several times a night Daytime pain which is aggravated by activity (worse as disease progresses) Pain may radiate up to the forearm, elbow or shoulder Thumb muscle weakness (grasping and pinching are difficult) The hand feels stiff and clumsy Thumb muscles may shrink (severe)
Treatment Principle	Dredge the channels Invigorate the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points	PC-7, PC-6 or SJ-5 LI-11, LI-4, SJ-5, SJ-3, PC-7 + electro acupuncture PC-6, PC-7, Shangbaxie, SJ-5 For numbness in the hands and fingers: LI-4, LI-5, LI-9, LI-11, LU-8, SI-4, SJ-5, SJ-6, SJ-10 For hand pain: + PC-5 For hand blockage: + PC-8 For numbness and pain in the hands: + Baxie, LI-3, SI-3
Lifestyle Changes	Keep hands and arms warm Rest as much as possible Never continue an activity that causes pain Avoid high salt intake to prevent water retention Avoid smoking

WIND-DAMPNESS

Clinical Manifestations	Wrist pain that comes and goes Wrist pain that migrates up the arm Numbness and heaviness of the hand and fingers Somewhat inhibited movement of the fingers The pain or impediment is worse with Cold and/or Dampness T: Pale C: Slimy and white and maybe soft P: Wiry
Treatment Principle	Dispel Wind Eliminate Dampness Tonify Qi Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas	Fang Feng Tang modified For Cold predominant: Wu Tou Tang modified For Damp predominant: Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang modified
Points	Baxie, LI-4, PC-7, SI-3, ST-36 With Cold predominant: + moxa needle local points With inhibited movement of the fingers: + SJ-4 With pain radiating up the forearm: + SJ-5

QI AND BLOOD STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Wrist pain which is fixed and relatively severe The pain is worse at night Pains that move around Distention Depression Irritability Pan is worse with pressure Dark complexion Fixed, palpable masses Bleeding with clots Purple lips Purple nails Dry skin Blue, dark or purplish discoloration of skin in small or large areas, Varicose and spider veins Cold hands and feet Tendency to hemorrhage dark blood or clots T: Purple, possible purple or red spots Red purple if there is Heat Blue purple if there is Cold C: White P: Choppy or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle	Activate the Blood Break up Stagnation
Herb Formulas	Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang modified
Points	Baxie, PC-7, SJ-4, SP-10 For pain that migrates into the upper arm or shoulder: + SJ-5 For severe tingling pain in the palms: + PC-8 For weakness of the hand: + LI-4 For cervical vertebrae disease: + DU-14, cervical Huatuojiaji

BLOOD DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Tingling and/or numbness of the fingers of one or both hands The fingers are thin and pale Dizziness Pale lips Pale nails Brittle nails Palpitations Insomnia Dry skin Dry hair Poor memory A Pale white or sallow facial complexion Fatigue Scanty periods T: Pale C: Thin, white and dry P: Thready or Weak
Treatment Principle	Nourish Blood Harmonize the constriction
Herb Formulas	Si Wu Tang modified
Points	LIV 3, SP-6, ST-36, UB 11, UB-17 PC-7, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20, UB-22 For Heart palpitations and insomnia: + HT-7, UB-15 For dizziness and vertigo: + DU-20 For Blood Stasis: + LI-11, SP-10 For fatigue and lassitude: + ST-36

COLD AND DAMPNESS

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness and tingling in the hand Night pain which may be relieved by shaking or exercising the hand which may occur several times a night Daytime pain which is aggravated by activity (worse as disease progresses) Pain may radiate up to the forearm, elbow or shoulder Thumb muscle weakness (grasping and pinching are difficult) The hand feels stiff and clumsy Thumb muscles may shrink (severe)
Treatment Principle	Dredge the channels Invigorate the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points	PC-7, PC-6 or SJ-5 LI-11, LI-4, SJ-5, SJ-3, PC-7 + electro acupuncture