DO YOU SUFFER FROM CTS?

• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb and fingers, particularly the index and middle fingers, which are affected by the median nerve
• Pain in the hands or wrists
• Loss of dexterity or gripping strength
• Difficulty performing routine tasks with the hands such as holding a cup, vacuuming, washing up, or even driving; some people have difficulty holding a newspaper or a telephone
• Pain in the arm and shoulder
• Swelling of the hand, which often increases at night.

Laser For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the number one repetitive stress injury in America today! It is characterized by painful inflammation and swelling of tendons in the wrist that pass through the carpal tunnel. Because of this, the nerve that shares the carpal tunnel becomes pinched and results in tingling, pain and numbness in the base of the thumb and first three fingers.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when tendons or ligaments in the wrist become enlarged after being aggravated. The narrowed tunnel of bones and ligaments in the wrist pinch nerves that reach fingers and muscles at the base of the thumb. For most patients, symptoms of CTS first appear at night while they are sleeping.

Some symptoms include burning, tingling and numbness in the fingers. Sometimes, the type of work people engage in can cause CTS. For example, CTS is common among assembly factory workers. CTS is the most common and widely known of all entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed and traumatized.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: There are a number of treatment options for patients with CTS. Researchers say some drugs effectively treat the condition. These include anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, some diuretics or water pills, and steroids. Some studies have also shown vitamin B-6 supplements may ease symptoms of CTS. Another option for treatment includes exercise. Sometimes, doctors recommend patients see a physical therapist for treatment. Yoga and acupuncture are other treatment options. For patients whose symptoms do not go away within six months, surgery is often suggested. In fact, carpal tunnel release surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. All of these treatments have met with limited success in restoring function, relieving pain and returning a person to their normal lifes' activities. Now, a new procedure using a cold laser is available for patients as a nonsurgical option.

NEW LASER TREATMENT: Chiropractic Solutions uses low level laser therapy (cold laser) to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS. Low-energy laser technology is being used to treat patients with CTS. Designers of the laser say damaged cells can benefit from light. Traditional hot laser light can penetrate the skin, but it often destroys tissue. This new cold laser technology can penetrate deep into the tissue, without destroying other tissue. The result is reduction in pain, inflammation, edema, and an overall reduction of healing time.

Researchers say the ML830 laser promotes the process of photobiostimulation. Photobiostimulation is similar to photosynthesis in plant cells where a chain of chemical reactions is set in motion. In human tissue, the resulting photochemical reaction produces an increase in the cellular metabolic rate, which speeds up cell repair. In clinical trials, the cold laser reduced pain, inflammation and edema in patients with CTS. Patients also had an overall reduction in healing time. The laser focuses on four points in the wrist, three times, for 30 seconds. Studies show the laser technology works on eight out of 10 patients. The cost for treatment can vary, but it generally runs around $50. Insurance companies may cover the procedure.

AND THERE'S MORE!

The laser is also used for the treatment of joint injuries, tendonitis and tennis elbow, hip pain, leg pain, sports injuries, shoulder and neck pain, arthritis, TMJ syndrome, and neuralgia.