Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Now

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Your Endocrine System

Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome be caused by the glands in your body?  Those glands rule everything!  They are called your endocrine system.

I did a very interesting interview with an woman who is an expert in the endocrine system. She had to become an expert in order to get rid of her own problems.

If you don't know what your endocrine system is or does yet, be sure to listen. It's about an hour long and chock full of very important information.

You can find the teleseminar interview (online seminar) here:

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND LESSEN YOUR PAIN

Your immune system is part of your endocrine system.

People who suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can benefit from this information.  That's why I am sharing it with you.

When your endocrine system is happy, your whole body will be happier and that includes your carpal tunnel.

Help Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms with Vitamins and Minerals

Carpal Tunnel symptoms happen for reasons.  The reason could be because of muscle strain--muscle overuse, under use or incorrect use.  Or your symptoms could be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies or "insufficiencies."

A deficiency is more severe but an insufficiency (not enough) can also cause symptoms.  Why?

Because there are nutrients that your body needs.  If your body doesn't get the nutritional things that it requires, you will have one type of disease or another.

Calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron are major minerals that are required for muscle health and function.  If you don't have enough, it increases the irritability of myofascial trigger points. 

Calcium is essential (necessary) to the muscles so they can do their best job.  Magnesium and potassium are also essential because they interact with calcium and are related to muscle health and contraction.

All of the parts of your body work together.  So do all the vitamins.  So do all the minerals.

If you take calcium, but don't take

Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Lack of Calcium or Vitamin D?

Does lack of calcium cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?  I was asked this very good question by a reader.

I wasn't aware that a lack of calcium can specifically cause CTS.  But I did know that many minerals work together with calcium; it's not only calcium that we need. 

According to Drs. Travell and Simons MD's, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Vol. 1, Second Edition, "Several minerals, especially iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, are needed for normal muscle function."

So if you want to help your carpal tunnel symptoms heal and your muscles to function normally, give them what they need.  You have a smart body but it needs a little help from you to get better.

If you have a deficiency in calcium, you can only correct it by

Carpal Tunnel & Nutrition: Does Organic Food Fix Carpal Tunnel?

Does eating organic food help or hurt Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

I'm going to say YES! IT DEFINITELY HELPS! 

Why?

Once upon a time, all we humans could eat came from the ground, animals or fish.  It didn't come from factories.  It grew naturally.

Our bodies knew what to do with the food we ate then.

More and more, I believe that our bodies just don't know how to handle things we eat that are processed in factories.  Sure, sometimes lots of fresh produce goes into factories, but what comes out?  It's just not the same when our "food" is laced with chemicals (lots of them based on petroleum.) 

Because food that comes out of factories is much different than what we were designed to eat:

1.  It may not absorb properly; we can't get all the nutrients.

2.  Many nutrients may have been removed in processing (for instance, whole grains reduced to "white.")  Whole grains contain B-vitamins.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often caused by a B-6 deficiency and B-12 deficiency contributes, too.

3.  Chemicals and additives are added for "taste" and shelf life.  (Did you know there is a whole chemical industry devoted to developing new flavors and scents so we will buy more products?) 

We weren't designed to eat petroleum products and "spices" from chemistry labs.  (Did you know that "spices" doesn't mean

Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief and Nutrition: Feed Your Whole Body

Is your carpal tunnel hungry?

If you feed your whole body, you feed your Carpal Tunnel.  No getting around it! 

The healthier you are and the stronger your immune system is, the easier it will be for your body to heal.  When you are healthy, from the inside out, you will have less pain.  No getting around that, either.

Today's episode (March 26, 2009) at Carpal Tunnel Radio talked about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating for your whole body.  My guest was Harriet Cole.  She's been interested in health and wellness for years and years and it shows.  If you could Harriet in person, you would see a beautiful, vibrant woman and would never guess her age!

Does she ever eat goodies?  Sure, she sometimes does (don't we all?) but she eats small quantities of treats and watches what she eats.  Does she use vitamin and mineral supplements?  You bet!  (I do, too!)

We talked about "real" foods, fake "foods" and additives. 

We talked about how important it is to take responsibility for your own health.  Really, your doctor can't make you healthy...but, you can.

I hope you have a chance to listen.  The replays are always available so you can listen at any time of the day of night.

Remember, the healthier your diet is, the easier it will be for you to relieve your carpal tunnel symptoms.

Carpal Tunnel? Get Spice In Your Life With Natural Anti-inflammatories

Wanna spice up your life and possibly get rid of carpal tunnel symptoms at the same time?

Ginger and pineapple both have anti-inflammatory properties.  They both help reduce inflammation (swelling) in your tissues.

"Bev" asked me whether there is enough ginger in ginger ale to be helpful.  I truly believe, in my heart, that ginger ale and ginger cookies are tremendously therapeutic on many levels...but the reality is that ginger ale has either artificial sweeteners (which I don't believe are healthy) or HFCS (which is also not good for us.)  And ginger cookies, well, "calories" is their middle name.

Ginger tea is an option.  You can get tea bags with only ginger or with a blend of spices.  You can also make your own ginger tea.  Get a chunk of fresh ginger from the produce department at the supermarket.  Cut a slice and boil it for several minutes, then let it steep a bit.  Dilute it to your taste, and save the leftover tea and fresh ginger in your fridge.

Ginger comes in capsules at the health food store.  That's a convenient way to take it and you could start with one capsule a day and go from there.  Read the bottle for directions.

Pineapple enzyme is called bromelain.  You can use it fresh by eating it and you can rub it on and around your area of inflammed muscles.  If you have certain medical conditions, like asthma or angina, it has helped with those symptoms, as well as others. 

Some people may be allergic, since it is a plant.  It is not recommended for people with active gastric or duodenal ulcers.  If you take anticoagulant drugs, check with your doctor before taking bromelain.

Many doctors recommend up to 3,000 MCU (a measurement) 3 times a day for several days, and then decreasing the dose to 2,000 MCU 3 times a day.  You will find capsules at the health food store.

Most spices have health benefits.  If you can fit them into your diet, you will benefit from their healing properties.

So, spice up your life.

"Because You Deserve To Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Interview on Blog Talk Radio

Would you like to hear an information packed audio all about Carpal Tunnel issues?

Connie Ragen Green interviewed me for Blog Talk Radio for 30 minutes.

Here is the link to the free recording.

Interview About Carpal Tunnel 

There is no charge, just click on the link and the program will start in a moment.

Connie asked me lots of great questions about the causes and treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other carpal tunnel issues (pain in your hand, arm and wrist.)

I got to tell her as much as I could for those 30 minutes and had a wonderful time, too.

Hope you have a chance to listen.

Enjoy!

Kathryn Merrow
The Pain Relief Coach

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? How to Eat to Heal Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Your car runs on gasoline (probably.) 

You wouldn't put milk in your car.  It wouldn't work.

Your pet needs food that will help it remain healthy.  You probably don't feed your pet Snickers bars for lunch every day.  That would cause illness for your pet.

You? 

Maybe you like Snickers candy bars for lunch every day, and habits can be a little hard to break.

Well, "you are what you eat."  Truly.

If you give your body the "fuel" it needs, your body will function better.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, there's a good chance that you have some vitamin or mineral deficiencies.  Perhaps you don't have enough vitamin B6.  That's a common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.  There are a couple of articles here at Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief.  Just look under "nutrition" in the "categories."

Perhaps your body is hungry for something you aren't giving it--it knows something is missing.

So much of the "food" we buy is processed (made in a factory--and they may not be looking out for our health there.)  So many additives go into processed foods (and they aren't all good for us, either.)

There is a lot of confusion about what is a "healthy" diet or way of eating.  Some folks say "low carb" and some don't have a clue what a "carb" is, or what makes a carb good or bad.

Some people say "high protein" and some who follow that don't look at the long-term outcome.

Here are some suggestions on eating to heal your carpal tunnel symptoms.  (Remember, most of your symptoms involve your muscles and soft tissues.  Muscles and soft tissues, as well as your bones and brain, have nutrition requirements which must be met in order for them to function well.)

1.  Eat meals that are well-balanced.  What does that mean?  Pick 3 to 5 foods which are completely different from each other for each meal.  Have "colorful" foods on at least 3/4 of your plate.  (You're not fooling your body if those colorful foods include Cheese Puffs or a breakfast cereal with fake fruit chips in it.)  Eat Real and Whole Foods as much as possible.

2.  Skip junk foods.  There is a reason they are called "junk foods."  They don't help your body heal or be well.  They include soda pop, hyper-sweetened cereal, alcoholic drinks, sugar and other sweeteners (including artificial), and "snacks."  Instead, try to replace those things with water, fruits and veggies--Real Foods. 

3.  Take your time when you eat.  Try to carve out a time when you can sit down and pay attention to your food and enjoy it.  Chew well so all the nutrients will be released into your body.

4.  Pay attention to your body wisdom.  After you eat a certain food, if you notice

Foods With the Most Vitamin B6 to Reduce Carpal Tunnel Inflammation

Vitamin B6 is just one of many necessary vitamins for all of us.  If you have a sufficient amount of this vitamin, it will help get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms.

To increase your intake of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) you can eat the following foods: 

Red bell peppers (raw); boiled spinach; boiled turnip greens; bananas; yellowfin tuna; chicken and turkey breast; baked or broiled Chinook salmon, cod fish, snapper fish, halibut fish, tuna fish: and beef.

Boiled cauliflower, raw celery, boiled cabbage, steamed asparagus, kale, steamed broccoli, boiled Brussels sprouts, swiss chard and garlic.  Watermelon, green peas, sweet potatoes and yams.

Kidney beans, sunflower seeds, carrots, corn, crabmeat, lentils, lima beans potatoes, brown rice, soybeans, eggs, pearled barley and bran, raisins and whole grains.

Vitamin B6 is critical to your health and wellness. 

Conventional medicine (your doctor) knows that people who have carpal tunnel symptoms often have a deficiency in B6. 

A deficiency (not enough in your body) may show up as skin conditions, asthma, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, nervous system and cardio conditions, and other symptoms.

How else can you increase your vitamin B6 intake?

With a good nutritional supplement, of course.  You can buy B6 by itself, a good mix of B-vitamins (because they work together) or ask your doctor for a recommendation.

If you would like more information about this important vitamin, you can find it by clicking here.
That link will take you to a page which is devoted to vitamin B6 at the World's Healthiest Food.

Remember, an educated patient is one who will get well faster.  You can get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms by educating yourself and taking action.

"Because You Deserve to Feel Better!"

If Vitamin B6 Deficiency Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, What Causes B6 Deficiency?

Doctors know that Vitamin B6 deficiency causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

But what causes you to have a deficiency?

This is what the "Encyclopedia of Healing Foods" says about Vitamin B6 deficiency:

Since 1950, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has increased "in parallel with the increased presence of compounds that interfere with vitamin B6 in the body."  In particular, Dr. Michael Murray (author) says that tartrazine (FD&C Yellow #5) is added to "nearly every packaged food" and interferes with B6 absorption. 

In the US, he says, the average daily consumption (how much we eat) of certified dyes is 15 milligrams, of which 85% is tartrazine.  That means, if you are average, you are eating 5,000 milligrams a year, which is approximately one teaspoon. That might not sound like much to you, but it is one teaspoon of a chemical that you don't need--it is not making you healthier.

The doctor suggests eliminating tartrazine and increasing foods rich in B6 to help relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

And, when your carpal tunnel symptoms flare up, Dr. Murray suggests drinking fresh pineapple juice and eating ginger. Both have anti-inflammatory properties (they reduce inflammation in your tissues.)  Curcumin, which comes from the spice turmeric, is also an anti-inflammatory.

If you read the labels on food, drug or cosmetic products, you will see a lot of things listed.  Some of those ingredients might even to cause you to think, "Hmmm.  I wonder why that is in there?"  I think that often. 

I ask myself, "Why did the manufacturers think this product needs to have something to color it?  I think it would have looked fine with its' natural color."

So, what can you do to eat less tartrazine? 

Start by reading labels on packages of prepared food.  Look for the words "FD&C Yellow #5" or "natural and artificial food coloring."  Be suspicious and read all labels.

You never know what you might find.

There is a large "food industry" out there.  And, the job of the food industry is not to make you healthy.  It is to get you to buy products that appeal to your eye (food coloring) your nose (artificial aromas) and taste buds (artificial flavors.)  Might as well eat petroleum products.  In fact, you are.

There is a lot to be said for eating as close to nature as you can.  Farmers don't grow food that has tartrazine in it. 

But, factories do.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 7 Healthy Ways to Reduce, Prevent and Stop CTS

Here are seven ways you can prevent, reduce and get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms.

These steps help eliminate the things that cause carpal tunnel syndrome.  Pain always has a cause, and getting rid of the cause will get rid of your pain.

1. Get strong arms--I mean the back side of your upper arms.  You use the front side of your arms all the time, and those muscles tend to be stronger than the back side.  The muscles in the back of your arms are weaker.  If you strengthen the back-of-arm muscles, it will create balance in your arms.
2. Strengthen your back.  A strong back side will let you have good posture.  A strong back will hold your shoulders back where they belong and prevent a whole lot of pain all over your body.  Check out SimpleStrengthening.com
3. Pay attention to the signals your body gives you.  When do you have the most carpal tunnel symptoms?  What are you doing?  Often, stopping or changing a single movement or position can make a big difference. 
4. Make the time to do lots of comfortable stretches.  Stretch in the opposite direction of the way you usually work or play.
5. Take a tai chi, stretching and strengthening, or yoga class.  When your body and posture are improved, and you are strong and in balance, your carpal tunnel symptoms will be much less.
6. Your body needs a lot of minerals and vitamins to function as it should.  Eat for health.  You might also take a really good vitamin and mineral supplement.  Remember to drink enough water, too, because your muscles work best when they have sufficient water to work with.
7. Take frequent breaks if you have to work for long periods of time.  Lots of little breaks are better than one long break, and will make all of your muscles happier.  Make your breaks "stretch breaks."  Move your hands, fingers and arms in lots of different positions, rather than the positions you usually use.

"Because You Deserve to Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome--5 Reasons Why Your Children and Teens Will Get CTS

Are your children in danger of getting carpal tunnel syndrome?

In a recent article in the Reader's Digest, Chaplain Kate Braestrup told the story about going with her son to an informational meeting at a local armed forces recruiting office.  She noticed that all the boys' backs were "curved by a childhood spent in front of screens."

Kate is not a muscular specialist; she is a mom.  But, she is a mom with powers of observation.

What Kate noticed is becoming a huge problem, and it is setting up our young people for future pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens for reasons.  Usually, those reasons are related to muscles and posture. 

The poor, curved habitual posture that our children and teens are developing has the following causes:

1.  Weak back muscles.
2.  Improper sitting techniques, often caused by long hours in front of tv or computer.  Also, caused by furniture at home or school that doesn't fit--this causes our children to stretch or slouch.
3.  Being tired from too little sleep.
4.  General muscle imbalance.  Their front muscles get too short and their back muscles get overstretched.  Lack of activity can cause this.
5.  Lack of nutrition.  A fresh, colorful diet with lots of natural flavor will help children be more alert and energetic so they can get more exercise.

Teenagers and children will get carpal tunnel syndrome for the same reasons that you did.  The only thing is, they have a headstart:  they will get carpal tunnel pain sooner.

Just like you, I will encourage your young people (and you, too) to do whatever you can to reverse the problems in #1-5. 

Your children will thank you, your body will thank you, and you will feel so much better.

"And You Deserve to Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Pain Affected By Diet?

If you have carpal tunnel pain, you're going to wonder why I'm telling you this.  I'm telling you because what you eat, or don't eat, can contribute to your carpal tunnel syndrome.

I just read a great - that's my opinion, because I believe it - article at AOL called "Don't Pass On The Butter."

Why did I think it was great?

It told of all the health benefits and virtues of all the real fats, like butter, coconut, eggs and more.

Conventional researchers (not just health nuts) have found health heroes in all of the fats that some segments of the medical profession have been telling us for years and years NOT to eat.

They said these real fats, like sour cream and meat, would clog our arteries.  Now, it turns out - through honest-to-goodness research - they were wrong.

Again.

Remember when margarine was supposed to be healthier than butter?

This is why you need your own sources of good information.  You need to be able to make your own decisions.

There is only one thing I would have added to this article.  That thing would be to buy organic. 

Non-organic fats contain pesticides and hormones.  When we eat non-organic, we eat those hormones and pesticides, too.

Now, you might be thinking, I thought Kathryn said her sources were reliable?  She saw this on AOL?

True.  But, this was not new information for me.

I have read the same thing many times in the last whole-lotta years.  And, that's pretty much how I eat. The only difference was the experts I read were considered to be "health nuts" or "alternative."

What does this all have to do with carpal tunnel syndrome or pain in your carpal tunnel area?

Here it is.  When you eat REAL - not fake - foods, fats and sugars, your body will be able to function better.  You will have less carpal tunnel pain!

Your body will have more of the natural nutrients it needs.  That means less carpal tunnel pain!

You will heal faster and both emotional and physical stresses will bother you less.  Woohoo!  Less carpal tunnel pain!

But, what about the extra calories?

If you have read recent news, you already know that diet sweeteners cause weight gain (not to mention a whole bunch of other health problems.)

When you eat real fats - don't get carried away now, just small amounts - you will find they are much more satisfying, they taste better, and that you can go longer between meals and eat less.

Eggs, too.

Enjoy!

"Because You Deserve To Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Pain Can Be Reduced With Vitamins and Water

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins.

Vitamin B-6, especially, has been used to reduce the pain symptoms of carpal tunnel.  Researchers have found that a B-6 deficiency will cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

How much should you take to reduce your carpal tunnel pain?

Go to a health food store or shop on-line for a good, high-potency multi-vitamin or B-vitamin blend.  Read the label to make sure there is a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Read and follow the directions on the bottle.  Drugstore or supermarket brands are usually not as potent (powerful) as those from health food stores or mail order.  Often, the drugstore brands only have a handful of ingredients and a minimum amount of nutrients. 

I'd love to see you take a supplement with a ton of good-quality nutrients.

You might find a blend of a few vitamins which is supposed to be specifically for carpal tunnel syndrome.  It may help, but you won't be getting all the other good things that are in good multi-vitamin and mineral.

What about cost?

The supplements I take cost about $50-$55 a month. 

I figure this is a cost of "health insurance" for me.  I have to pay out of pocket, but I am healthy and rarely ever sick.  In fact, I get sick much less than in the "good old days."

I got serious about supplementing with vitamins and minerals many years ago.  After six or eight months, I realized that I had seven (!) fewer health and comfort issues bothering me.

What is your health worth to you?

Which to choose?

I'm not selling supplements, so it's safe to keep reading :-) 

I order