Pain Talk

Written by A. L. Shaw, M.D.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of many names of a syndrome of parasthesias, pain, and temperature changes of the hands usually related to repetitive use or stress, which is another name for the same syndrome, Repetitive Stress Injury(RSI).

There is a ligament crossing between the distal parts of the radius & ulna. The median nerve crosses just dorsally to this ligament and for many reasons, not well understood, the cross-sectional space under this ligament compared to the cross-sectional area of the median nerve becomes compromised and the syndrome of increased nerve pressure becomes manifest.

Practically, this syndrome is more complicated than usually appreciated. Patients commonly have neck, mid-upper, or mid--fore arm lesions as well as the tunnel lesion described above.

From a western medicine perspective, it is sometimes mandatory to utilize electronic nerve studies to diagnose the site of the lesion. The usual and customary western therapy relates to section of the ligament. However, if the patient is evaluated by Advanced Pain Care (APC) physicians prior to surgery the outcomes of these alternative therapies is much more positive.

From a eastern medicine perspective, particularly from an acupuncture viewpoint, these are meridians. Treatment of the pericardium and triple heater meridians commonly yields relief of symptoms with only one to three therapies. Laser therapy of these same meridians also brings about palliation of symptoms.

Physicians in APC are usually able to treatment RSI patients with acupuncture and prescription physical therapy utilizing JH Pilates based equipment to achieve efficient, safe, proactive therapy.

In the current health care environment of medical costs, at least equal attention mut be given to quality medical care. If one must be attenuated to cost-effective methods, these techniques are appropriate for this time, and because of efficiency, any time.

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