Top 16 Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Relief

carpal tunnel relief picture of person holding his hand

The burning and tingling of carpal tunnel syndrome can become completely debilitating. You not only look for relief from the pain, but for a non-surgical solution, because not being able to use your hands and wrists due to the pain can become a major problem. We’ll look at 16 remedies for carpal tunnel relief after we let’s examine what causes it.

Carpal tunnel is classified as a repetitive motion injury, but can also stem from posture while working. The condition’s name comes from the eight “carpal” bones of the wrist, which form a tunnel through which the median nerves passes. Inflammation in this narrow passageway applies pressure to the median nerves and causes pain and tingling in your wrist and hands.

Any one or a combination of our 16 remedies for carpal tunnel relief can help, but they are not all inclusive. Consult your health care provider in severe cases.

Top 16 Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Relief

Castor Oil

Carpal tunnel relief can come from castor oil.

What to do:

  • Apply warm castor oil to your hands and fingers.
  • Massage the oil into the back of your hands wrists, thumbs and fingers for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Use flannel clothe to wrap your hands afterward and leave it in place for an hour.
  • Repeat daily until your condition improves.

How it works:
Castor oil helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

castor beans on a table

Wrist Exercises

Strengthening the muscles in your wrist can help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

What to do:

  • With your palm up and a 1 to 2 pound weight, flex your wrist upward ten times. Increase the number of repetitions daily. Repeat this exercise daily until you can easily do 40 repetitions.
  • Turn your palms downward and repeat the above exercise.
  • Arm curls can also help, but be sure to keep your wrists straight while you do them.

How it works:
Strengthening the muscles in your wrist and arm promotes circulation and keeps tendons supple.

Cold Compress

A cold compress on your hand and wrist can help reduce inflammation.

What to do:

  • Put several ice cubes in a sealable, plastic bag.
  • With a towel wrapped around the bag, apply to the affected area for 10 minutes.
  • You can repeat every hour, as needed.

How it works:
Temporary carpal tunnel relief will come as the inflammation is decreased.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and muscle relaxer, which can help bring you carpal tunnel relief as well.

What to do:

  • Place warm water in a tub and mix in ½ to 1 cup of Epsom salt.
  • Submerge your wrists and hands in the water for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Repeat 3 to 4 times a week.

How it works:
The magnesium content of Epsom salt is what reduces inflammation.

Hand Exercises

Hand exercises can also help to relieve the pain and swelling.

What to do:

  • Ball your hand into a fist, release it and then shake your fingers like you’re trying to dry them.
  • Put your palms together like you’re praying. Keep the fingertips and heels of your hands together and your spread your palms and fingers apart.
  • Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times several times throughout the day.

How it works:
These exercises help to increase blood circulation to your hands and fingers, which helps to bring healing of carpal tunnel.

picture of a person putting pressure on her hand

Acupressure

Acupressure is another method of obtaining carpal tunnel relief.

What to do:

  • Locate the pressure point on the inside of your wrist and about 2 ½ finger widths above the wrist crease.
  • Use your thumb to apply gentle steady pressure.
  • Repeat daily.

How it works:
This helps to restore proper nerve function and to relieve pain.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s claw has a highly potent anti-inflammatory function to help bring carpal tunnel relief.

What to do:

  • You can consume devil’s claw in capsule from 1500 to 2000 mg daily.
  • Or boil water and steep 1 tsp of devil’s claw for 10 minutes to drink it as a tea 2 to 3 times daily.

Note: If you have peptic ulcers or are on blood-thinning medications, avid using this remedy.

How it works:
And increase in nitric oxide in the blood helps to decrease inflammation. The harpagoside compound in devil’s claw helps produce nitric oxide.

Slow Down and Soften Up

Carpal tunnel relief can be as simple as slowing down the pace at which you do repetitive motions or the amount of pressure that you apply.

What to do:

  • Be aware of the minimum amount of pressure necessary to perform a task and try not to use more.
  • Pace yourself a few repetitions slower.

How it works:
The combination of rapid repetitions and too much force are major contributing factors to CTS.

Take Mini Breaks

Taking mini breaks during repetitive work can also help reduce your symptoms.

What to do:

  • Be aware of the warning signs of fatigue.
  • Alter your posture or the motion for a few minutes.
  • Take a 2 minute break every 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Shake out your hands and fingers.

How it works:
Allowing your fatigued fingers, hands and wrists to rest can help reduce inflammation and irritation of the area.

Elevate Hands and Wrists Whenever Possible

Elevating your hands and wrists whenever possible is another route on the path to carpal tunnel relief.

What to do:

  • When you take your breaks or mini breaks, cross your arms over the top of your head and let your hands and wrists relax for several minutes.
  • Place your palms on the top of your computer screen or another surface above the level of your heat and allow them to relax for several minutes.

How it works:
Elevating your hands and wrists helps decrease fluid retention in the inflamed area.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 deficiency can be a contributing factor to CTS.

What to do:

  • Increase your consumption of leafy green vegetables, beans and other foods rich in vitamin B6.
  • Take a B complex or super B supplement (100 mg 3 times a day).

How it works:
The lack of vitamin B6 in your body contributes to inflammation and nerve degeneration as well as dozens of other conditions. It helps your body produce niacin and nitric oxide, which helps reduce inflammation.

Omega-3

Increasing the omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can also help in carpal tunnel relief.

What to do:

  • Consume a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cold water fish, spinach, chia seeds and walnuts.
  • You can also take a fish oil supplement like krill oil (500 mg 2 to 3 times daily).

How it works:
Omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to the reduction of inflammation.

Pineapple

Pineapple is another delicious way to reduce inflammation and bring about carpal tunnel relief.

What to do:

  • Include raw (not canned) pineapple as a regular addition to your diet.
  • Bring pineapple husks to boil in water for an hour. Place the husks in a blender and puree them. Strain the juice into a pitcher and drink 2 to 3 times daily.

How it works:
The active enzyme bromelain, found in pineapples, is one of the best natural cures for inflammation there is.

Magnesium

Muscle tension and fatigue is a major contributor to CTS. Magnesium can help relieve both.

What to do:

  • Include magnesium rich foods in your diet on a daily basis.
  • Take a magnesium supplement at a dosage of 500 mg daily.

How it works:
Magnesium helps to reduce muscle tension and fatigue, and also aids in increased nerve function.

Turmeric

To avoid doing damage to your liver with the use of prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers, give turmeric a try.

What to do:

  • Take about ¾” to 1” of turmeric root and grate it.
  • Boil grated turmeric for 10 minutes.
  • Strain tea into a mug or cup.
  • Add lemon juice and/or honey. Drink 2 to 3 per day.
  • Mixing coconut oil, black pepper and turmeric creates a paste that you can massage the back of your hands and wrists.

How it works:
The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, helps to reduce pain and inflammation without the harmful side-effects of commercial pain relievers.

turmeric powder next to roots

Essential Oil Blend

You can also get carpal tunnel relief from a blend of a couple of essential oils.

What to do:

  • Create a mixture of the following oils:
    • 3 drops of cypress;
    • 3 drops of wintergreen;
    • 1 Tbsp coconut oil.
  • Massage onto the back of your hands and wrists.

How it works:
The anti-inflammatory properties of these oils penetrate into the carpal tunnel and help to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.

A Final Thought

Carpal tunnel syndrome, left to do its damage can become so debilitating that a person can no longer function normally. By being aware of its causes and taking certain measures to decrease the inflammation that causes CTS, you can find carpal tunnel relief and avoid painful and costly surgical options.

Images taken from depositphotos.com.