| Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
Using Emu Oil for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
By Dr. Leigh Hopkins
Several folks have reported relief from carpal
tunnel syndrome symptoms of the burning and tingling numbness in
the fingers, with applications of emu oil to the wrist area. Since
some individuals suffer permanent nerve damage from carpal tunnel
syndrome, it is worth some degree of caution when recommending emu
oil for treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress
injury reported at an increasing rate in the U.S. work force. Anyone
who does repetitive work with their hands and arms is susceptible.
Musicians, cooks, writers, typists and others complain of finger
stiffness in the morning, a weakened grip and pain and numbness
in the hands and wrists.
The syndrome occurs when the tendons in the wrist
become inflamed after some type of aggravation such as typing or
writing. These tendons pass between the bones and ligaments of the
palm of the hand in a constricted area called a tunnel. Treatment
includes resting the hands using splints. Oral and injected anti-inflammatory
drugs such as ibuprofen are also common treatments. Surgery may
be used to expand the tunnel and reduce the pressure on the nerve
that is causing the pain.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke reports that 1% of individuals with this syndrome develop
permanent injury. The majority recover completely and can avoid
re-injury by changing the way they do repetitive movements, the
frequency with which they do the movements, and the amount of time
they rest between periods when they perform repetitive movements.
An uncommon but very effective treatment is to
take vitamins B6 and B2. Doctors noticed that carpal tunnel syndrome
often occurred in women on birth control pills that had high estrogen
doses (these products are no longer available). Pregnant women also
have an increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. And finally,
diabetics are also at increased risk. All these conditions are associated
with an increased need for vitamin B6. The dose of vitamin B6 is
200 to 300 mg per day in divided doses. Vitamin B2 is necessary
to convert vitamin B6 into its active form. This treatment should
be tried for three months; if there is no symptom relief by then,
vitamin B6 may not be for you.
In summary: Emu oil may act in an anti-inflammatory
manner to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome similar
to oral anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and Motrin. Vitamins
B6 and B2 can be taken for 3 months at a daily dose of 300 mg for
each vitamin. These should be taken in 100 mg. doses at each meal.
If, after a trial of 3 months there is no benefit from the use of
emu oil and the B vitamins, you should seek other therapies since
permanent nerve damage may occur in some people.
Reprinted from Emu Today & Tomorrow, August 1997
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