Home Treatment for Repetitive Stress Injury

Carpal Tunnel syndrome is possibly the injury most commonly associated with computer over-use and repetitive stress injuries, but research has come to show that CTS is often caused by a genetic predisposition, not by overuse and activity.

A recent study at Harvard University revealed that biological factors are three times more powerful in causing CTS to develop than repetitive or occupational activities. And other CTS sufferers have found that something as seemingly-unrelated as food allergies may be to blame for their wrist pain. Many CTS sufferers who don’t spend all day at the computer, still wake up at night with pain in the wrists or with numbness and tingling in their hands.

For quick relief, CTS sufferers can wear tight gloves or wrist braces at night, and take ibuprofen to keep the inflammation down. A quick ice treatment, or longer use of gel ice packs, can also help numb the area and reduce the problem.

Some doctors such as Dr. Andrew Weil also recommend taking Vitamin B-6 supplements:

The most effective treatment that I’ve found is B-6, or pyridoxine – 100 milligrams two or three times a day. At this dosage, B6 acts as a natural therapeutic agent for nerve compression injuries. (B6 at doses higher than 300 milligrams a day has caused nerve damage in a few individuals; discontinue use if you develop any unusual numbness.)

Weil also recommends using arnica gel, which is a topical gel that can be used to reduce pain and can be purchased over the counter at drug stores. I have used it in the past and can recommend it, but it again is just a pain reliever and probably won’t solve your ongoing problem.

Another treatment I highly recommend for Carpal Tunnel is Coban wrap — an elastic sticky wrap that you can put around the wrists, which provides compression and helps reduce the inflammation. It’s what I use anytime I have CTS symptoms and always seems to make them disappear. It also doesn’t restrict motion so you can wear it all day, even while working.

If you’re a CTS sufferer, help our readers by commenting below, to let us know what treatments helped and what didn’t work for you.

Related posts:

1. Coban — Stretchy Stuff for Carpal Tunnel issues
2. Carpal Tunnel Pain? — Get Tested for Food Allergies
3. Wear Gloves to Stay Warm While Typing
4. Ice Massage — Quick Cold Therapy
5. Contrast Baths — Relieve Stiffness, Swelling and Pain without Ice