CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

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
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
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
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
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
Points
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
Points
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