If you repeatedly experience numb hands or wrist pain, it’s important to consider causes other than simple fatigue. Especially if the numbness worsens at night or if you experience sensory abnormalities in your thumb, index, or middle fingers, you might suspect carpal tunnel syndrome. In this post, we will discuss the characteristics and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (手根管症候群)
is a condition where the median nerve is compressed within the carpal tunnel (wrist tunnel) of the wrist, leading to symptoms such as hand numbness, decreased sensation, and pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway formed beneath the skin on the inside of the wrist, surrounded by the wrist bones and the ligament covering them (transverse carpal ligament).
Inside this tunnel, nine tendons that bend the fingers and the median nerve, which is responsible for sensation and some movements of the hand, pass through together. If the space within the carpal tunnel narrows or the internal pressure increases, the median nerve can become compressed, leading to hand numbness, pain, and sensory abnormalities. This condition is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If hand numbness worsens at night and your little finger is unaffected, it’s worth considering carpal tunnel syndrome rather than just simple fatigue. Early diagnosis and management are key to preserving hand function.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is also known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, It is also called wrist tunnel syndrome. All refer to the same condition, and the official medical and academic name is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (手根管症候群).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is common even among younger age groups.
In an era of increased smartphone and computer use, it is no longer a condition exclusive to middle-aged and older adults.
As computer and smartphone use has become commonplace, the number of people complaining of hand pain and numbness is rapidly increasing. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes. Recently, due to increased smartphone use, there has been a rise in cases among people in their teens and twenties.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common compressive neuropathy of the wrist, characterized by being more prevalent in women than men. It is often dismissed as simple wrist muscle pain, but if the appropriate treatment period is missed, symptoms can worsen, making treatment more difficult.
Korean Medicine Treatment Perspective
In Korean medicine, carpal tunnel syndrome is viewed as a type of Bi-syndrome (痺證), where pain and numbness arise from obstructed circulation of Qi and Blood (氣血). Rather than merely suppressing outward pain, treatment focuses on improving the internal environment of the wrist to alleviate the root cause of nerve compression.
Acupotomy Treatment – Non-surgical Micro-treatment
This treatment uses a special flat-bladed needle (acupotomy) to delicately release hypertrophied transverse carpal ligaments and adhesive tissues that compress the nerve, thereby securing space in the narrowed carpal tunnel and reducing pressure on the median nerve.
Pharmacopuncture Therapy – Inflammation Control and Recovery Promotion
Refined herbal medicine extracts are injected into the affected area to reduce nerve inflammation and swelling, promote tissue recovery, and alleviate numbness.
Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture Treatment – Muscle Relaxation and Pressure Relief
Acupuncture stimulates acupoints around the wrist to relax muscles and ligaments. Electroacupuncture is used concurrently to improve blood flow and reduce pressure.
Chuna manual therapy – Restoring Wrist Structural Balance
Misaligned wrist joints caused by repetitive use are corrected through manual therapy, enhancing the stability of the median nerve pathway.
Herbal Medicine Prescription – Systematic Management to Reduce Recurrence
Herbal medicine helps clear stagnant blood, which contributes to inflammation, and aids in muscle and ligament recovery, thereby maintaining treatment effects and preventing recurrence.
If carpal tunnel syndrome is not managed early, symptoms can gradually progress. If hand numbness or pain recurs, it is important to accurately assess your current wrist condition and establish appropriate management and treatment directions rather than simply enduring it. https://m.blog.naver.com/sunyujae21/224171808323 We hope you will join Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in sharing valuable information for a healthy life.
Suji-gu Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.
This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.
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