How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Responds to Acupuncture in Las Vegas

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an all-too-common aliment among the general public in this computer-based, keyboard-and-text-driven society. Anyone who uses their hands for demanding, repetitive tasks may experience the telltale hand pain, tingling and numbness caused by inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the median nerve in the wrist. While surgery is often prescribed to deal with this problem, it makes much better sense to try your conservative, non-invasive options first. One of these options is acupuncture, which is why our acupuncturist, Dr. Peter Lok, is happy to offer treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome here at Lok Acupuncture Clinic in Las Vegas, NV.

The carpal tunnel is a “canal” of soft tissue that encircles the median nerve, a nerve in the wrist that relays sensory and motor signals to the thumb and first three fingers of the hand. If this tissue becomes inflamed and swollen, it can pinch the nerve, interfering with signaling and causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms. You may experience pain or tingling sensations that run up the forearm and wrist into every finger except the pinky (which is served by a different nerve). On the other end of the scale, you may experience loss of sensation (numbness). As muscles fail to receive the proper motor signals, your hand may grow weak  and have trouble manipulating objects.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur due to an injury or congenital musculoskeletal issue, but for many people it is an overuse injury. Manual workers, typists, musicians and artists are often plagued by the disorder — in fact, anyone who spends lots of time on mobile devices or video game consoles can develop it. The symptoms may be especially noticeable when you’re trying to grip objects, or they can even wake you up in the middle of the night.

Carpal Tunnel Treatment at Lok Acupuncture Clinic in Las Vegas, NV

Major surgery to alter the tissues involved in carpal tunnel syndrome can be effective, but it’s also a calculated risk, and in many cases an unnecessary one. Acupuncture has been shown to have a beneficial effect on this disorder. Studies of carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers who received acupuncture in the PC-6 (Neiguan) and PC-7 (Daling) points experienced significant relief from their symptoms.

How does acupuncture help carpal tunnel syndrome? For starters, it stimulates the release of two important substances in the body — adenosine, a potent natural painkiller, and cortisol, an anti-inflammatory substance produced by the body (similar to the corticosteroids sometimes administered as anti-inflammatory injections). It also helps to regulate and reduce the brain’s overall pain sensitivity. Last but not least, acupuncture can alter the way nerve signals to the fingers are processed, a phenomenon known as cortical plasticity that can help your hands feel and function better without drugs or surgery.

Don’t submit yourself for surgery until you have first explored the amazing healing potential of acupuncture. Call (702) 732-0178 for an appointment with Dr. Peter Lok at Lok Acupuncture Clinic in Las Vegas. We can help you conquer your carpal tunnel syndrome!