The median nerve runs under the palm side of your hand through a passageway that is called the "carpal tunnel." When your median nerve continually gets high amounts of pressure placed on it, you can develop carpal tunnel syndrome. With this condition, your fingers and hand can feel numbness, pain, weakness and tingling sensations. The treatment for carpal tunnel involves both conventional and natural remedies.
Step 1
Get an injection. Corticosteroids are prescription drugs that can be used for fast pain relief. They can also reduce median nerve pressure. Talk to your doctor about getting an injection, as the oral formula is not as effective.
Step 2
Wear a splint. Keeping your wrist and forearm immobile and free of pressure is important when healing from carpal tunnel syndrome. Wearing a splint can also reduce the numbness and tingling that you may experience at night.
Step 3
Use a pain reliever. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to reduce swelling and pain. You can get these over-the-counter; examples include naproxen, ibuprofen and aspirin.
Step 4
Take breaks during the day. If you have a job where your hands and wrists are in a fixed position for long periods of time and under undue stress, take regular breaks to stretch them out.
Step 5
Perform a relaxation activity. Yoga is a type of mind and body exercise that involves holding the body in fixed positions called "poses." According to the Mayo Clinic, yoga postures designed for strengthening, stretching and balancing each joint in the upper body may help reduce pain and improve grip strength. Attend yoga classes or get a DVD for use at home.
Step 6
See an acupuncturist. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that is characterized by the insertion of tiny needles into various meridian points on your body to reduce symptoms and ailments of underlying conditions. Talk to a certified acupuncturist about getting treatment for your carpal tunnel syndrome.
Step 7
Get an operation. If you have tried numerous treatments and your carpal tunnel pain has not gotten any better after six months, consider getting surgery. A surgeon will give you a local anesthetic and cut the ligament that's pressing down on your median nerve to reduce pressure. This is an outpatient procedure.
