Many medical sources agree that carpal tunnel syndrome may result from a genetic hitch – a wrist small enough to pinch the medial nerve in the carpal tunnel or from work involving constant jarring like road work with one of those machines that break up concrete. How many of your friends do road work? Come on, get serious. We all know carpal tunnel pain most often results from computer use. Kids who start using a computer mouse at 6 may develop carpal tunnel pain and numbness of the thumb and first three fingers in one or both hands by age 12. Main symptoms (hand pain, swelling, redness, numbness and sometimes burning pain) usually feel worse when talking on the phone (holding up your hands), using a pen or chopsticks, or very late or early in the morning around 5AM when adrenal energy is at a low ebb.

In my latest book Naturally Pain Free I describe a modified acupuncture treatment using a tens stimulator and cold laser. It works in 2 – 3 sessions and helps maintain comfort when done regularly for example once a week. But here are things you can do to reduce carpal tunnel pain/numbness with supplements and easy treatments.

Take lots of vitamin B6 (up to 200 mgs daily) It reduces swelling pain by reducing water retention. Avoid salt and high sodium foods like soy sauce. Also take oral vitamin B12 twice the recommended dose.

In case your carpal tunnel is related to water retention and includes heart trouble or for people over age 40 add arjuna a great Ayurvedic herb to protect the heart and therefore circulation. Either add 1/4 tsp of arjuna powder to hot tea or water once or twice daily or use capsules as directed.

Wear a strong wrist brace that prevents your bending the wrist day and night for 2 weeks. You can remove them to wash hands, shower etc. You will notice a reduction of pain within days but continue with the supplements for at least a month.