Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Natural Cures for Carpal Tunnel

| Modified on Jul 23, 2024
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Alternative medicine offers several effective natural home remedies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal tunnel treatment includes stretching, B vitamins, eliminating aspartame and eating blackstrap molasses daily.. If you have ever experienced numbness or tingling in your fingers or wrists, you may have carpal tunnel.

Whether you have been diagnosed with advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or just have the early indicators, natural remedies for carpal tunnel treatment can help prevent further development of the condition and even reverse the current state. While we have come across a number of home remedies for carpal tunnel, some of the most effective are blackstrap molasses, castor oil, and B vitamins.

What Is Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel is a hand and arm condition characterized by numbness and tingling in the wrist, . This condition typically starts gradually and progresses. At first, tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers “comes and goes”. As the condition progresses, there is a pervasive weakness in the wrist and hand, often causing someone to drop objects.

What Causes Arm and Hand Numbness?

The syndrome itself is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist; however, several factors contribute to this compression. A wrist fracture or dislocation, chronic illness, inflammatory conditions, fluid retention, and certain medical conditions contribute to CTS. Other things that may contribute to carpal tunnel are working with vibrating tools, prolonged or repetitive flexing of the wrist, and even typing or using a computer mouse.

Natural Remedies for CTS

While more advanced stages of carpal tunnel may require more aggressive treatment, most cases can be treated naturally. Nutritional supplements such as blackstrap molasses and B vitamins help treat the condition as well as the application of castor oil.

Blackstrap Molasses

A nutritionally “sweet” syrup, blackstrap molasses contains a number of nutrients that restore wrist function including magnesium, calcium, and B vitamins.

B Vitamins

Many individuals with carpal tunnel have been found to be deficient of certain B vitamins. Taking a B vitamin complex can help restore normal nerve function in your wrist and even reverse nerve damage.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a powerful natural remedy. In treating CTS, it is used to reduce inflammation and restore natural wrist movement and function. Apply the oil liberally to your wrist at least once a day.

Many individuals get a carpal tunnel diagnosis and worry that they have no other option than surgery. With our list of top 3 natural treatments as well as other successful remedies contributed by our readers below, know that you don't have to go to drastic measures for good health, even when it comes to carpal tunnel.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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B Vitamins

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Posted by Sarahumbrella (Lethbridge Ab) on 05/16/2016
 ★★★★★

I started a new job back in January and I spend more time at a computer than ever before. My wrists started hurting so badly to the point where my whole arms and hands would ache. I bought a wrist brace but that didn't seem to help. I've never written a review on EC before but I signed up to say that b vitamins do really work for those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Within days my wrists stopped bothering me and I was able to work without pain.

I made sure I bought a b complex that has at least 100mg of b6 as I had heard that was the vitamin that helps. What a relief. I was starting to think i would have to quit my job!!!!

Replied by Tj
(Stephens City, Va)
08/30/2018

What brand do you use?

Thank you!

B Vitamins
Posted by Jo (Lutz, Fl, USA) on 09/22/2008
 ★★★★★

I am a Registered Nurse who does holistic medicine. Tell Walking Tumeric to take B6 along with B-complex 50 mg. 1 B6 200 mg. and 1 B-complex 50 mg tablet daily until the pain subsides in his carpal tunnel it usually works for most people. Hope it works for you.

Replied by Suzanne
(Ohio)
01/23/2016
★★★★★

I wanted to come in to say thank you for suggesting B-50. I took your suggestion and bought it along with Castor Oil (suggested on here as well) it was used as an ointment but I couldn't find it and bought the capsules instead. These two things along with a tablespoon of ACV daily and not sleeping with my hands under my head at night has done the trick. I am very excited because I didn't think it was going to work but it did. I hope others reading will try it.

B Vitamins
Posted by Yonela (San Diego, Ca) on 03/17/2008
 ★★★★★

Hi first of all i just wanted to Thank God and congratulate you for this magnificent website that is a real blessing for many people that are looking for an alternative to modern medicine prescriptions. This is to the person named Mary that suffers from carpal tunel syndrome i apologize for any words mispelled i also had this problem and i did not want to go thru surgery for this problem so i started looking for a natural cure i came across an article of a doctor that had researched for the cure of carpal tunel this doctor however i do not remember the name said that after many studies he came to the conclusion that drinking 100mg of vitamin b-6 and 100mg of vitamin b-2 once a day for 3 mos can cure carpal tunnel syndrome if this is a problem that has persisted for a long time he suggested taking these vitamins for up to 6 mos on a daily basis well to not make this story any longer ive been drinking these vitamins for 2 mos now and i can truly say i have not had any more pains on my wrist and hands i can move my fingers with no symptoms whatsoever ..i really dont remember how this works but its wonderful to know im taking a natural product without any secondary effects and i feel great . Ted if you can advise me of anything you know about vit b-6 or b-2 i would greatly appreciate it thank you, God bless you!

B Vitamins
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 03/13/2008 490 posts
 ★★★★★

To Vanessa 3/12/08 Hi Vanessa, For that carpal tunnel problem you need to get some Vitamin B6 - get 50 mgm tablets and start with l tablet twice a day - if no improvement noticed after 5 - 7 days increase to 3 times a day - if no improvement then start taking 2 tablets 3 times a day - You can keep increasing until you get improvement and hold it at that dosage for several weeks - BUT DO NOT take more than, 6000 mgms (6 grams) per day. I have read that some adverse inwanted side effects occur at that dosage.

Replied by Vanessa
(Los Angeles, California)
03/12/2008

I notice you dont have and subject heading for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). is there another name for it. i have it bad and i'd appreciate any remedies for it. thanks,

Replied by Brainbuster
(Indianapolis, IN)
03/04/2015

6000 mg?? Vitamin B 2 or 6 is toxic above 100 mg.

Blackstrap Molasses

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Posted by Claire (London, UK) on 02/24/2007
 ★★★★★

This is g8 stuff.I had a big problem with carpal syndrome some nights I could not sleep cause of the pain. Searched on the internet for any ideas came across this site and read reviews. Next day brought some BSM (Black Strap Molasses). Took a tablespoon before i ate every morning and another before i slept. After a few days the pain in my arm was not so severe. Within a month the pain disappeared.Also, my husband noticed that i had lost weight. Maybe this was due to taking bsm (black strap molasses) . i continued to take it and in 6 months I have lost 3 stone. I think the bsm stopped my craving for sugar and also i didn't feel hungry. So overall, a wonderful medicine with loads of vitamins and minerals. recommend it to anyone.feel g8, hair is shiny. nails strong and skin glowing. This would be g8 for someone who is pregnant as it has calcium and iron in it.

Replied by dan
(london)
09/10/2023

Hi Claire,

Which brand of molasses did/do you use?

Thank you

Blackstrap Molasses, Apple Cider, Vinegar, No Aspartame

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Posted by Tracy (Frederick, MD) on 03/19/2008
 ★★★★★

Since there is now a new header for CTS, thought I'd add my .02 cents, since looking for CTS cures is how I found this website so long ago. The number one thing that I think really helped, was quitting Aspartame. I was drinking 3-4 diet cokes, plus equal in my coffee. Bad. I also added Black Strap Molasses to my coffee in the morning and I take ACV daily (twice a day). I believe the combination of these three things has cured my Carpal Tunnel. Prior to these changes I was waking up in the middle of the night in agony with "dead arm"/hand. Every once in a while, if I paint or do active things with my hand it will flair up, but flair up now means tingles that I can shake out, as opposed to agonizing hand/arm pain. SO, quit the Aspartame and get some BSM and ACV in your diet and see for yourself.

Borax, Lugol's Iodine

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Posted by Roger (Arkansas, Usa) on 10/22/2017
 ★★★★★

I have used Borax going on about a year and a half or so. About 4 months ago I discovered Lugol's Iodine and have found that to take the place of some of the healing I thought Borax would solve.

I was having severe carpal tunnel/arm pain after 5 min on my computer. I started on Lugol's Iodine 5% and selenium, magnesium, zinc and a B Vitamin complex. The arm pain completely disappeared after about 2 days and other systems in my body began to function properly as well. It is a much slower detox than with Borax so I am still detoxing if you can believe it.

I love iodine...total believer now but I am certainly glad I did the Borax detox first. Doing the two together would be rough. The iodine has caused strange zit like boils to show up all over my body randomly as well as pain at joint nodes. The protocol is to use sea salt and mega dose of vitamin C and this certainly helps. I usually take about 10,000mg of Vitamin C and a good pinch of sea salt and spring water when I have the detox symptoms. I make sure not to take the Vitamin C around the time I take my iodine as it negates the elemental iodine with Vitamin C. I take about 2 droppers full 2 times a day or roughly 650mg or so of Iodine.

Boron + B2

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Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 12/04/2023
 ★★★★★

Boron and B2 Helped Carpel Tunnel

Greeting EC and Everyone,

You never know if you are going to get a reaction from a supplement even one that you have tried before because your health condition may have changed. I have used Boron before, I have used Borax before, and B2 is in my B complex vitamins, yet I never had a floor moving reaction. However, I will say maybe some brands absorb better than others do.

When I started getting some new pains in my ankles, I took a Boron supplement that I bought this summer that also has 25mg of B2.

In my research, I found out that B2 heals cracked lip corners, which was a new problem for me that also started in the summer so this would take care of two problems. Well, I have only felt an earthquake in New York once, that was about thirty years ago. However, the first evening of taking one of these capsules, I felt the floor moving under my feet.

At first, I did not realize that the floor moved only on one side. I asked my daughter, "Do you feel the floor moving?" She said, no. So-o, I thought it was moving only where I was sitting at the computer. Then I got out of my seat to walk around, and realized that every place I walked the floor moved, but only under my left foot. Then I realized my left foot was vibrating, sometimes I would also get a fluttering in my left ear. That continued on and off for 2 or 3 days. When the vibrations finally stopped, I seemed to have less numbness and less carpel tunnel.

I don't recall ever experiencing such a moving experience before. The closest I can think of is when coming off a three-day food and water fast in my older years; my foot would cramp up when I started to receive liquids again. Mother said, take potassium and that worked.

HisJewel

Carpal Tunnel & Lyme Disease Link

Posted by Joru (Northeast) on 01/03/2015

There are multiple possible causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but I wanted to mention one that sometimes gets overlooked which is Lyme disease. This should be considered, particularly if the carpal tunnel is bilateral. If the carpal tunnel is from Lyme, it may respond to antibiotic therapy. Here's a sample reference from the medical literature: "We conclude that a significant proportion of patients with late Lyme borreliosis develop carpal tunnel syndrome." Carpal tunnel syndrome in Lyme borreliosis. Halperin JJ, Volkman DJ, Luft BJ, Dattwyler RJ. Muscle Nerve. 1989 May;12(5):397-400. PubMed PMID: 2725567. Http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2725567

Carpal Tunnel Remedies

Posted by Roy (Vero Beach, FL) on 07/21/2013

Anyone have ideas / supplements to relieve carpel tunnel in hand? Have had pain for four months.

Castor Oil

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Posted by Cathy (Placentia, CA) on 07/22/2008
 ★★★★★

I don't have carpal tunnel syndrome, but a friend of a friend just had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome on one hand, and could not recover from surgery, so I told her about castor oil to heal stiff and sore muscles. She tried it and now she swears by it, and massages it into her whole body every morning to take care of all her aches and pains. She was supposed to have surgery on the other hand as well, but the pain has been alleviated with the castor oil.

I have successfully used castor oil to relieve pain for my mother, who had fibromyalgia. Just massage in the castor oil and your aches and pains will disappear for a few days. It is a miracle drug as far as I am concerned. I have used it for menstrual cramps, rashes, yeast infections, sore muscles and even tooth pain for an abscessed tooth. It is great. And the more you use it, the more the pain goes away.

My sister in law used it for her knee which was clicking and she thought she was going to have to have surgery on it, but she kept massaging it with castor oil, and now she is fine.

I would be interested in the feedback from others to see if it can help them too.

Replied by Rhonda
(East Greenwich, Ri)
04/27/2011

Please research thyroid issues causing this problem:

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
"Insufficient Thyroid Hormone causes bodily functions to slow down. The symptoms of Hypothyroidism are subtle and gradual and may be mistaken for Depression. Facial expressions become dull, the voice hoarse and the speech slow, eyelids droop and the eyes and face become puffy and swollen. Many people with Hypothyroidism gain weight, become constipated and are unable to tolerate cold. The hair becomes sparse, coarse, dry, scaly and thick. Many people develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which makes the hands tingle or hurt. The pulse may slow, the palms and soles appear slightly orange (carotenemia) and the side part of the eyebrows slowly falls out."

Sources:

The Thyroid Sourcebook By M. Sara Rosenthal

Google excerpt here: http://tiny.cc/3c49a

Excellent article and remedies:

http://www.space-age.com/hypothyroidism.html
Mary Shomon article: http://tiny.cc/i5fc2

Replied by William
(Calgary, Alberta,canada)
10/20/2011
★★★★★

In April I was moving furniture, and tore my forearm and bicep @ the elbow. (partially detatched the bicep just above the elbow-can't be re-attatched). A couple of weeks later, tingling started in my hand, then it began to radiate down my forearm. My doctor, said it sounded like CTS, but I had/have my doubts. Anyhow, after a meeting with a plastic surgeon who specializes in this, and after showing him photos on my phone of the bruising, and I told him that I started massaging my lowerarm with Castor oil and that the pain was essentialy gone, he felt that surgery was unnecessary and that if it becomes a problem-then he'll look at it.

After using Castor oil on my arm, the CTS pain/discomfort disappeared to the point that I have gone 3 weeks without using the oil. I have started using it again after aggravating my arm performing my job (electrician). Rotating the wrist is the big culprit.

Replied by Gina
(Waxahachie, Tx)
02/14/2012
★★★★★

yes. The castor oil helps. I've had ct pain for a couple of weeks from washing down the cupboards (pressure and rotation). I rubbed some in before bed last night and woke this morning with no pain. I can feel it would come back if I use my wrists heavily, but will keep them as immobile as possible and keep up with the castor oil. I've also started on b-complex and b6 with the hope that they will keep the condition from coming back. I had cts once before really bad from embroidering, and a touch when I kneaded bread every day, so I am sure it is repetitive twisting motion that brings it on. I used to get twinges when I used the mouse heavily, but have had no trouble since I started using the touchpad instead.

Change Sleep Position

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Posted by Brian (Adelaide, Sth Aus, Australia) on 02/18/2012
 ★★★★★

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME CURED

Twelve years ago I was sure I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but never had it confirmed by a doctor, just to avoid any possibility of being told that surgery was the only option. My right hand wrist got so sore that on a bad day, at my desk job, I couldn't push a pen for more than a minute before having to rest it. I made makeshift splints for my wrist using rulers and rubber bands just for some relief when using the keyboard. Never did have a day off work but this went on for a few weeks. Then I tried something so simple that costs absolutely nothing and takes no effort at all except an awareness. I was cured in just a few days and have had no recurrence of the syndrome ever since. That's not a knife, that's a testimony.

In one sentence, when asleep, keep your hand away from underneath your head. I believe many cases diagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome might be cured simply by adjusting the sleeping position to keep the hand away from under one's head.

Having always preferred to sleep on my tummy with my head to the right, my right hand would automatically position under the pillow under my head, with the wrist directly below my jaw. A human head already weighs upwards to 5kg but with the added force of the spine pushing the head into the pillow to level the body, the total weight borne by the wrist in such a position has to be a lot more. Add a long time such as a night's sleep and voila, a sore wrist develops with all of the compression symptoms that could easily be diagnosed as CTS by experts. I simply changed to sleeping on either one of my sides with one hand still under the pillow, but only a little bit along the edges where there is no weight on it at all.

If you are just one of apparently 10% of the population who develop CTS who try this sleeping position adjustment cure and you have success and avoid surgery - I would be delighted to know. Good luck.

Replied by Becky From Ohio
(Northeastern, Ohio, Usa)
02/23/2012
★★★★★

Brian, I think you are on to something there. I was having issues with shoulder pain, and thought it might be problems with my rotator cuff? I am a side sleeper, and noticed that sleeping on my side made it much worse (no surprise really). I tried unsuccessfully to sleep on my back to cure this- but I just can not sleep that way. I tried googling side sleeping and shoulder problems and happened upon a suggestion that it wasn't sleeping on your side that hurt your shoulder- but sleeping with your hand up under your head. The suggestion was to keep the bottom arms down closer to your side. I tried it, and it did get rid of my shoulder pain (while still being able to sleep on my side! ). But, after reading your post I noticed that I wasn't having problems with my hands (possible carpal tunnels) anymore too. So- I believe your suggestion is good for the hands and the shoulders!

Replied by Mary Lee
(New York, New York)
10/13/2013

I read somewhere that this 103 year old man was asked "What is the secret to your longevity?" He replied, "Sleep on your back."

Replied by Suzanne
(Ohio)
01/15/2016

I am so glad to read this. I too am a side sleeper and do have my hands under my head all the time. I am going to change my sleeping habits along with adding the cod live oil, and b vitamins as suggested above and see how it goes!

Thanks for the advice.

Replied by Nanu
(Tx)
06/29/2017

Many years ago, I worked as a sign language interpreter and had to change careers due to the pain in my wrists. I also sleep on my side with my hands under the pillow. I noticed that when I put my hands under the pillow I tend to curve my fingers into fists and fold my wrists down... I found if I keep my wrists straight I don't get pain and any pain I have suffered diminishes, so there is definitely something to be said about one's sleeping position.

It's been a week since my L wrist has started to hurt and last night I noticed my sleeping position. At this time I am trying the castor oil and taking B6 with L-lysine, since it's all I have at hand presently. We shall see what results...

Earthclinicjunkie
(Fl)
06/26/2018

I think it's castor oil, not cod liver--often confused, since both are time-honored remedies, but work very differently.

DMSO and Magnesium Oil

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Posted by Denine1 (Philly) on 12/12/2018
 ★★★★☆

I have had wrist pain off and on for a couple of years, but in the past week, it's been steady and painful enough that I've started taking copious amounts of pain relievers. I haven't been diagnosed with anything because I refuse to go to a doctor who will probably prescribe things I can't take or that are more harmful than the otc pain relievers.

I have tried DMSO and Magnesium oil. It does NOT work after the first time, you have to layer it, meaning massage it in as needed through out the day. Don't just use it on your wrist, my pain starts within the area of the middle and ring fingers, is also felt on the outside of the wrist where the pinky finger is and flows down about an inch and a half past the wrist.

I massage the DMSO and Mag oil all over my hands and fingers and to the shoulders. It didn't work just doing the wrist and hand, and it didn't work just doing it one time. You can also incorporate Castor Oil (mag oil and dmso can be very drying) Unfortunately, Castor Oil alone didn't work for me

For some, this may be time consuming, but if you prefer not to use meds, and bringing the pain down from a 12 to a 3 can help, try this method. I find this more helpful overall than 1000 mg of Ibuprofen two to three times a day.

Replied by Art
(California)
12/12/2018
2326 posts

You might try applying just the mag oil to the back of your neck down to between your shoulder blades. That may be additive the the effect of the lower application you are already doing.

Art

Exercise

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Posted by Don (Az) on 07/23/2024
 ★★★★★

Exercise to open the carpal tunnel and return the arm and wrist to normal.

I came across a video from Dr John Bergman where he explains about carpal tunnel and an easy exercise to return the tunnel to normal. I tried it and it seems to be working. Go to YouTube and look up "Dr John Bergman" and look for the video named "How to Regenerate Joints - Regenerative Exercises". Go to the 11:52 minute mark where he shows how to do this exercise.

Replied by Ruralady
(Illinois)
07/23/2024
31 posts

I suffered from CP years ago, I went to a Chiropractor that did cold laser. Haven't had a problem since. Can't say that about others who've had the surgery or cortisone injections.

Foam Pillow

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Posted by Diane (Auburn, NY) on 07/23/2008
 ★★★★★

I recently purchased a Tempur-Pedic Neck pillow in my last effort to try to help aliviate the pain I was suffering from with Carpal Tunnel. The first two nights I tried it, I never woke up with pain and numbness in my hands, by the third night, I removed the hand brace and I never woke up to shake out the numbness because there was no numbness. I have suffered for ten years with this pain and all I needed was a good pillow specially designed to support my neck.It's worth every penny of the $99.99 I had to pay. I got this pillow at Bed, Bath and Beyond.


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