Menu

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment 


Search over 8,400 pages on this site...

Progesterone can be an effective carpal tunnel syndrome treatment due to its diuretic action. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, on the palm side of the hand. The tunnel is made up of bones and connective tissue, with nine tendons and the median nerve running through it from the arm to the hand.

If the tendons swell, this causes pressure on the median nerve which becomes pinched, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The symptoms are...

    pins and needles
    pain
    numbness
    weakness in the hand

If the condition is chronic atrophy of the muscles can occur with permanent nerve damage and numbness.

Although often attributed to overuse of the hand as in typing, it's generally found in people who are not working.

Most cases are of unknown origin, but there is some evidence it's an inherent peripheral neuropathy affecting only one nerve. It can also be associated with arthritis, Contraceptives, diabetes, hypothyroidism, obesity and trauma. Plus benign tumors in the wrist such as lipomas or a ganglion.

Women suffer from CTS more than men, with a ratio of approximately 3:1 from the ages of 45-60 years. It is also common in pregnancy, the thinking behind this is the increased water retention that's experienced.

There is a dearth of papers on progesterone and CTS. But the fact it affects more women than men, and that one of it's causes is water retention, makes one suspect oestrogen. Women have a far higher level compared to men. Plus the fact it generally begins during Peri-menopause, with falling progesterone levels and normal oestrogen levels.

Oestrogen causes water retention, whereas progesterone is a potent diuretic. Now given to Traumatic Brain Injury victims to reduce the oedema that forms.

One trial started in 2010 to study the affect progesterone could have on CTS.

Natural carpal tunnel syndrome treatment with progesterone

Women should use between 100-200mg/day progesterone, men 10-100mg/day. More might be needed dependent on symptoms. Although progesterone travels rapidly around the body, it's more effective if applied directly to the painful area.

For more information on carpal tunnel syndrome treatment see... How to use progesterone cream.

Before starting progesterone therapy please see the page on Oestrogen Dominance first.

Other natural carpal tunnel syndrome treatments

  • Contrast hydrotherapy - alternating hot and cold water applications 
  • acupuncture 
  • chiropractic manipulation of the wrist massage 
  • EFT for pain management 

Alternative health websites

About.com 

University of Maryland 

The Carpal Solution 

Medical treatments

  • anti-inflammatory drugs
  • local corticosteroid injections can relive pain, but are only a temporary measure
  • if the condition is mild, splints can be worn at night to keep the hand from flexing
  • to date surgery is the only option for long term relief, where the transverse carpal ligament is cut. This releases the pressure on the nerve

Other online references

NHS

NINDS

Mayo Clinic

PubMed Health

Patient UK

Wiki 

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment references

J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj. 2010 Apr 26;5:11 

Progesterone - new therapy in mild carpal tunnel syndrome? Study design of a randomized clinical trial for local therapy 

Ray Peat Ph.D. 2009

Water: swelling, tension, pain, fatigue, aging 

Return to home page

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...