It is well known that hand and wrist exercises are essential to strengthen muscles. When properly and routinely applied, exercises can also help alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition, certain dietary supplements may also help to manage this painful condition.
Wrist and Finger Exercises
A number of exercises can be safely performed on the hand and wrist, according to the website Total Orthopedic Care. One passive stretch for the wrist requires keeping the elbows straight while letting them rest on a table. Allow the fingers, hand and wrist to dangle downward over the table's edge. Push them further down to feel the stretch and hold this position for five seconds. Next, extend the hand in the opposite direction and hold for five seconds. Then grab the fingers and pull upwards even more and hold for five seconds to stretch the flexors. Repeat five times. To exercise the wrist in a sideways direction, keep the arm on the table with elbows straight but do not let the hand hang off the edge. Bend the hand from left to right as if wiping the table. At each right and left position, hold for five seconds then bend your wrist to the opposite side. Repeat this so that each position receives five stretches. An additional stretch requires placing both palms together in a prayer position. Keeping elbows level, lower the wrists slowly to feel the flexors stretch. Hold the stretched position for five seconds, relax and repeat five times. For finger exercises, hold one hand in front of the body and spread all fingers as far as they can go. Hold for five seconds then close your fingers into a tight fist. Hold five seconds then relax and repeat five times.
Vitamin B6
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, numerous scientific reports have failed to verify the beneficial effects of vitamin B6 as an aid to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, vitamin B6 is widely used, probably because of its well-established effects on boosting the body's the immune response and the maintenance of metabolism. However, the Office of Dietary Supplements warns that large doses of vitamin B6 may cause problems like neuropathy, which is why it recommends an upper limit of 100mg daily for adults.
Other Supplements
The website Health Library says that certain enzymes are commonly used as dietary supplements for alleviating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Bromelain, for example is thought to inhibit the inflammation and swelling underlying the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, no clinical studies have proven that bromelain has any effect on this condition. Another supplement comes from the sunflower-like plant, arnica. A clinical study performed in the UK determined that arnica can accelerate recovery from hand surgery when compared to placebo. However, there is little effect on swelling and grip strength when compared to placebo. Vitamin B12 also is used by carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers. One study examined the effect of vitamin B12 on paralysis following a stroke. A daily dose of 1,500mg of the vitamin over a two-year period demonstrated significant improvement compared to patients who did not take the vitamin. However, there are no clinical studies on its effects on carpal tunnel syndrome.
