Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and dietary supplements, vitamins, herbs by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral mononeuropathy; its symptoms and functional limitations significantly penalize the daily activities and quality of life of many people. While surgery is reserved to most severe cases, the earlier stages of disease may be controlled by a pharmacological treatment aimed to "neuroprotection", i.e. to limiting and correcting the nerve damage.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and computer keyboard use
People who spend much of their work time typing on a computer keyboard are actually less likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than those who spend less time working on a computer.

The use of nutritional supplements
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with alpha-lipoic acid.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009 Mar-Apr; Di Geronimo G, Caccese AF, Caruso L, Soldati A, Passaretti U. UO Chirurgia della Mano e dei Nervi Periferici, Presidio Ospedaliero dei Pellegrini, Napoli, Italy.
Our study was aimed to compare the efficacy of a fixed association of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) 600 mg/die and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) 360 mg/die, and a multivitamin B preparation (Vit B6 150 mg, Vit B1 100 mg, Vit B12 500 microg daily) for 90 days in 112 subjects with moderately severe CTS. Demographic, case-history and treatment efficacy data were collected; the Boston questionnaire was administered and the patients were evaluated by Hi-Ob scale and electro-myography. A significant reduction in both symptoms scores and functional impairment (Boston questionnaire) was observed in ALA / GLA group, while the multivitamin group experienced a slight improvement of symptoms and a deterioration of functional scores. Electromyography showed a statistically significant improvement with ALA / GLA, but not with the multivitamin product. The Hi-Ob scale showed significant efficacy of ALA / GLA in improving symptoms and functional impairment, while in the multivitamin group the improvement was significant, but less marked than in the ALA / GLA group. In conclusion, the fixed association of ALA and GLA proved to be a useful tool and may be proposed for controlling symptoms and improving the evolution of CTS, especially in the earlier stages of disease.

Carpal tunnel syndrome questions
Q. I am wondering if you have seen any studies about serrapeptase being used for carpal tunnel syndrome. If not can you direct me to or tell me about studies on any nutritional supplements that are of benefit to a person with carpal tunnel. If you are unable to answer these questions could you please let me know the type of doctor I would talk to about this. I'm assuming he/she would not be a general practioner.
   A. I have not seen any studies regarding the use of serrapeptase for carpal tunnel syndrome. Most often a neurologist would see nerve problems, but if the problem is severe, an orthopedic doctor would do the surgery. Initially a family doctor may take a look at it if the pain from the carpal tunnel syndrome is not too bad.