Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Treatment

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Alternative Therapies

Many alternative therapies are offered to people with carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress disorders. Few of these therapies have any proven benefit, however. People should learn how alternative therapies may interact with other medications they are taking, or impact other medical conditions they have, and they should check with their doctor before trying any of these therapies.

Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is often used for carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies have not supported its benefits, however, either in oral or cream form. It should also be noted that excessively high doses of vitamin B6 can be toxic and cause nerve damage.

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Acupuncture. Acupuncture is often used to relieve CTS symptoms. Although the treatment looks promising for symptom relief, there isn't enough solid research at this point to recommend it for CTS. More studies are needed to evaluate its benefit.

Chiropractic Therapies. Chiropractic techniques may be helpful for some people whose problems are caused by pinched nerves. There is little evidence, however, to support the use of chiropractic therapies for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Magnets. Magnets are a popular but unproven therapy for pain relief.

Botulinum toxin type A. Intracarpal injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) have not been well studied.

Review Date: 02/17/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).