Tunnel Escape To cut, or not to cut… An HSI member named Elva wants to know if there are alternatives to surgery in treating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). She writes: "Do you have anything to recommend for the relief of the pain and the swelling of carpal tunnel?" In milder CTS cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics and corticosteroids may help relieve pain associated with swelling. But according to a personal testimonial, Elva might find a safe source of relief with a Farabloc wrap. In the e-Alert "Cancer-Fighting Menu" (7/26/07), I told you about Farabloc, the lightweight fabric that relieves pain associated with arthritis, backaches, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches by blocking electrical fields with a unique design of stainless steel fibers woven with nylon. In one testimonial on the Farabloc web site (farabloc.com) a CTS patient tells how longtime carpal tunnel pain was relieved with a Farabloc wristband. But if Farabloc doesn't do the job, there are still other alternatives to drug therapy. The carpal tunnel is a tube of ligament and bones that runs through the wrist and protects the median nerve. When the tunnel is narrowed by inflammation or other causes, the nerve is compressed, prompting hand, wrist and arm pain. In the e-Alert "B+" (5/17/05), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., noted that he uses vitamin B-6 as a diuretic in his practice. And he added: "For carpal tunnel syndrome (which is involved with interstitial fluid taking up too much space within the carpal tunnel of the wrist, resulting in pressure on the nerve and causing numbness, tingling, and pain), 90 days of B-6 treatment is often required for the symptoms to completely subside. Retained fluid in general, however, can start leaving the first night (and can be disconcerting to a person who's now urinating more than they know they've been drinking…the interstitial fluid is leaving)." Dietary sources of B-6 include bananas, spinach, avocado, poultry, fish, meat and beans. Serrapeptase is an anti-inflammatory enzyme produced in the body of silkworms and was featured in the e-Alert "Under Fire" (2/3/05). Researchers have tested serrapeptase's ability to ease inflammation disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, atherosclerosis and fluid retention conditions such as varicose veins. At the SMS Medical College in Jaipur, India, researchers tested serrapeptase on 20 patients with carpal tunnel. Subjects were instructed to take 10 mg of serrapeptase twice each day for six weeks, and then return for reassessment. Sixty-five percent of the patients showed significant improvements, and no adverse side effects were reported. Serrapeptase can be found through many Internet sources and at health food stores. But this natural enzyme may impact anticoagulant therapy and other medications, so talk to your doctor before taking serrapeptase. Going deep According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, some patients report that acupuncture and chiropractic treatments relieve CTS symptoms. Research has also shown that that yoga effectively reduces CTS pain and improves grip strength in some cases. A more controversial treatment is prolotherapy; a method that prompts the body to heal damaged ligaments and tendons. In prolotherapy, a solution of simple compounds (usually dextrose or calcium carbonate) is injected at the point of injury. This triggers an inflammation response that increases the blood supply and delivers nutrients necessary to promote the growth of new cells and repair damaged connective tissue. This procedure is a little expensive, but it's a bargain compared to surgery. Health problems sometimes treated with phototherapy include: carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis; tendonitis, fibromyalgia, knee injuries, torn tendons and cartilage, degenerated or herniated discs, and even migraine headaches. For more information about prolotherapy, see the e-Alert "Slow and Steady" (9/30/04), which you can find at this link: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealerts/ea200409/ea20040930.html | 
