Top 6 Homeopathic Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a very common condition affecting the hands caused by the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It is also known as median nerve compression or median nerve entrapment. It results in numbness, tingling, pain, weakness in the thumb, fingers including index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger on the side close to the thumb and palms of hands. It is one of the commonest known entrapment neuropathies characterised by the compression of one of the peripheral nerves of the body.

Homeopathy carries a great scope in treating cases of CTS. Homeopathy is the best alternative for natural treatment options in cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Homeopathic medicines help in giving long-term relief in symptoms of CTS magnificently by targeting the root cause behind it. Symptoms including numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the fingers and hands are relieved wonderfully with these medicines. Contrary to mainstream medicines like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti – inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids for CTS treatment, homeopathy is free of any side effects, are non-habit forming and offer long-term relief.

An effective homeopathic treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can save a person from the surgeon’s knife. However, the results will depend on the severity and stage of CTS. In mild to moderate cases, where the wasting (thinning from severe and prolonged nerve compression)  of thenar muscles has not taken place, the chances of recovery are higher. Stage 1 and stage 2 CTS cases have the highest chances of recovery and cure while for stage 3 CTS, recovery rate varies depending on the amount of damage to the thenar muscle and symptom management is possible. In stage 3 cases, though homeopathic medicines cannot reverse the damage already done to the muscle, these can work to halt further progression of muscle damage and provide symptomatic relief. Only in the severest of cases that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery can be opted.

Homeopathic medicines for CTS are prescribed individually in every case as per the symptom presentation. A detailed case history is required followed by an assessment of symptoms to provide the best suitable homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy works wonders when the medicine is prescribed following this individualized approach.

Homeopathic remedies for CTS are sourced from naturally occurring substances and hence are very safe to use. They treat CTS with zero side effects. These medicines boost the body’s self-healing mechanism to overcome CTS issue naturally.

Top 6 Homeopathic Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The main medicines for treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are Causticum, Ruta, Hypericum, Arnica, Rhus Tox and Bellis Perennis.

1. Causticum – Top Medicine That Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Causticum is ranked as the best medicine to treat cases of CTS. I have treated many cases (successfully) with Causticum. The main symptoms are weakness in hands, numbness, and pain in the fingers. It is recommended more when the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has increased to a level where there is an excessive weakness in the hands and the muscles of the hand have atrophied (means thinning out). Causticum should be administered in case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome if the palmar side of the hand has a flat appearance (reduction in the musculature of hand).

When to use Causticum?

Causticum is highly recommended to manage numbness, weakness and pain in fingers in cases of CTS. Its use is also suggested for cases where the muscles of the hand have started wasting out means thinning from severe and prolonged nerve compression.

How to use Causticum?

One may take Causticum 30C once or twice in a day at the beginning of treatment.

2. Ruta – For CTS From Overuse Of Wrist (Strains), Tendonitis Or Wrist Fracture

Ruta is one of the best medicines which helps treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is used when from the overuse of wrist, tendonitis or after a sudden strain or fracture of the wrist CTS symptoms appear. There is marked pain in the wrist in those who need Ruta.

When to use Ruta?

Ruta is the best choice of medicine to manage CTS arising from the overuse of the wrist and also from inflamed tendons or a sudden strain on the wrist.

How to use Ruta?

The use of this medicine is recommended in both low and high potencies. Initially one may use its 30C potency once or twice a day. For using high potencies, prior consultation with a homeopathic physician is a must.

3. Hypericum – When An Injury (Damaging Median Nerve) Triggers CTS

Hypericum comes in handy when there is a nerve injury related to the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The injury damages the median nerve. This medicine manages numbness, tingling and burning pain in the fingers and hands.

When to use Hypericum?

This medicine should be highly preferred in CTS cases to manage numbness, tingling, burning in fingers post nerve injury.

How to use Hypericum?

Hypericum 30C can be used three to four times a day as per the severity of the symptoms.

4. Arnica – To Help CTS Cases From Injury Or Overuse Of Wrist

This medicine is very useful in managing cases of CTS from injury or the overuse of the wrist. It is suitable when there is pain in the hands. Besides, there is tingling in hands, and arms in some cases. This medicine helps in healing the injury and removes effects of the worst kind of overuse of wrist, with resultant symptom relief.

When to use Arnica?

This medicine should be used as the first line of treatment in cases of CTS arising from an injury or overuse of the wrist.

How to use Arnica?

It is safe to use it in 30 C potency in the beginning, once to thrice a day but for high potencies like 200 C or more, consultation with a homeopathic physician is strictly advised.

5. Rhus Tox – For Wrist Joint Inflammation Or Overuse Of Wrist Triggering CTS

Rhus Tox is very effective if one is suffering from CTS that follows the overuse of the wrist and hands causing strain or wrist joint inflammation (arthritis). The overuse of wrist or hands for example may occur from excessive typing work on computer, sewing, car driving, to name a few. Those who need Rhus Tox have pain and tenderness in the wrist. Any pressure exerted on the wrist is unbearable. There is numbness in the fingers, especially the index and middle finger in the morning.

When to use Rhus Tox?

Rhus Tox is well indicated to manage pain and tenderness in the wrist in CTS cases related to inflamed wrist joint or the overuse of wrist.

How to use Rhus Tox?

From its various available potencies, it is advisable to begin with 30C potency twice or thrice a day.

6. Bellis Perennis – For CTS Related to Repetitive Strain Injury 

In addition to the above-mentioned medicines for CTS linked to repetitive strain injury, Bellis Perennis can be used as well. The characteristic symptom indicating its use is a contracted feeling in the wrist. It feels as if there is an elastic band around the wrist contracting it.

When to use Bellis Perennis?

This medicine can be prescribed in CTS cases when it arises from repetitive strain injury to the wrist along with prominent symptom of contracted sensation in the wrist.

How to use Bellis Perennis?

Bellis Perennis 30C can be taken two to three times a day for good results.

What are the Causes Of CTS?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets compressed or irritated in the wrist when it passes through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel (passageway) in the palmar side of the wrist through which the median nerve and tendons (total nine in number) pass. Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones.

Risk factors

A variety of factors are linked to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome development as follows:

1. Repeated trauma (overuse injury) to the tissues inside the carpal tunnel: It is quite common to find the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in people who perform repetitive movements of hands and of the wrist frequently. Carpal tunnel is the most common in people who use computers. Typing is one of the most common causes that leads to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Certain mechanical jobs that repeatedly strain the wrist may lead to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for example driving vehicles, sewing, using hand tools (especially the ones that vibrate – carpenters are at high risk of developing CTS), writing, piano players, knitting and playing other musical instruments.

2. Arthritis (joint inflammation) in wrist joint: for example, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The swelling and inflammation related to these conditions can reduce the carpal tunnel space and compress median nerve.

3. Wrist injury/fracture/dislocation

4. Having a small carpal tunnel

5. Tendonitis: Inflammation of any among the nine tendons of carpal tunnel can occur and compress the median nerve

6. It is common in females as compared to males. Women are thrice more at risk of CTS as compared to men. The reason could be a smaller carpal tunnel in women as compared to men.

7. Certain medical conditions also predispose a person towards the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. These are diabetes (it increases chances of nerve damage), hypothyroidism and high blood pressure.

8. Obesity, alcoholism, smoking, excessive salt intake also increases risk of CTS

9. Having a family history of CTS

10. Pregnancy and menopause: Here retention of fluid contributes to CTS by raising pressure in the carpal tunnel and causing irritation in the median nerve.

11. Use of certain medicines, like anastrozole, which is used for treating breast cancer

12.  A tumour in carpal tunnel

 Investigations

1. Nerve conduction study test: It is the main test to diagnose CTS. In this test, electrodes are placed on the hands and the wrist and a little shock is passed through the median nerve that measures the conduction speed of nerve impulses. A slower than normal nerve impulse in carpal tunnel suggests presence of CTS.

2. Electromyography: In this test, a thin needle is inserted into the muscle to check the electrical activity of muscles. It helps reveal the damage of the muscles that are controlled by median nerve.

3. X-ray and ultrasound of wrist: X-ray will help to rule out related conditions like arthritis or fracture though it cannot diagnose CTS. An ultrasound will help to examine bones and nerves of the wrist and check for nerve compression.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have numbness in fingers and hands, am I suffering from CTS?

No doubt CTS is one of the most common reasons behind numbness in fingers and hands. But it can arise from several other causes, for example,  cervical neuropathy, brachial plexus injury, Raynaud’s phenomenon. So I advise you to consult a doctor to find out the exact reason behind your complaint.

2. Does pain in fingers indicate CTS?

Pain in fingers is one of the symptom of CTS but merely pain does not confirm CTS. In cases of CTS, numbness, tingling in fingers is usually present along with pain. If there is only pain in fingers, it could be from other reasons as well, like arthritis, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, tendonitis, ganglion cyst. So finger pain without numbness or tingling in fingers is usually not CTS.

3. How to know difference between CTS and arthritis?

In case of CTS, numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in fingers and hands occurs while in case of arthritis pain, stiffness and swelling in joints occurs.

4. I am suffering from CTS, will use of wrist splint treat it?

Though wrist splint cannot treat or cure CTS as it requires proper treatment, but a wrist splint can definitely help to relieve night-time symptoms of numbness and tingling in fingers and hands. Use of wrist splint is recommended at night while a person is sleeping as he/she can unconsciously bend the wrist during sleep. Here wrist splint will hold the wrist still and straight and relieve disturbing night-time symptoms.

5. I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, can I do typing?

Typing involves the constant use of wrist and hands and it can worsen CTS. If possible, avoid typing. But if your office work requires a lot of typing, make sure to press computer keys softly, use comfortable computer mouse, place keyboard at elbow height, take proper breaks at regular intervals in between typing to reduce strain on the wrist.

6. Will heat application on the wrist help CTS pain?

Yes, heat application can help in managing CTS pain. Heat enhances blood flow and relaxes the tense muscles and relieves wrist pain. Avoid it if wrist is swollen or red.

7. What if CTS is left untreated?

CTS needs to be treated timely because if not treated it can lead to permanent nerve damage and also muscle damage. This leads to loss of sensation in fingers and also weakness.