I came upon this article while searching for some good pain relief remedies for a friend with CTS.

This article takes a look at natural cures for carpal tunnel syndrome - using vitamins, herbs, and other nutritional supplements to help alleviate the numbness in hand and fingers.


Natural Cures For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Natural Cures For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
By Hazel Ketko

Carpal tunnel is a very small, narrow opening just below the base of the wrist, between the arm and the hand. It allows a main nerve (the median nerve) to pass from the bones and the muscles of the forearm to the palm, the thumb, and the fingers. Since it is bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel protects the median nerve and nine tendons that bend the fingers.

Because the opening of the tunnel is very small, it is vulnerable to pressure and swelling. Pressure placed on the nerve causes pain and numbness in the fingers, resulting in "carpal tunnel syndrome" (CTS).

CTS afflicts people who use their hands in a repetitive motion - musicians, writers, assembly-line workers, etc. In the last decade or so, many people who use computers have CTS. It is estimated that about 10 percent of people who work at computers suffer from this syndrome.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The cause of CTS is pressure on the median nerve. Anything that reduces the small space in the tunnel can cause pressure on the nerve. Some common causes are:

• Repetitive Use or Injury



• Hormonal Changes



• Arthritis

CTS typically starts gradually with a mild tingling and vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm. The tingling and painful feeling is usually worse in the morning or the evening. Other common symptoms include:

• Numbness in the thumb and the first three fingers.



• Weakness of the thumb and the first three fingers and a tendency to drop things.



• Pain may radiate and extend from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder or down into the palm or fingers.



• Inability to make a fist.

Natural carpal tunnel cures can help to relieve the pain resulting from CTS. Natural remedies such as herbs, aromatherapy, and nutritional supplements can be used to:

• Alleviate or remove the source of pain if possible



• Improve circulation



• Reduce swelling

Some vitamins and minerals that are effective natural carpal tunnel cures include Vitamin B6; Bromelain; Calcium and Magnesium.

Essential oils that are anti-inflammatory and can be used to massage the affected areas to reduce pain and inflammation. Try the following recipe for CTS:

• 10 drops of Lavender



• 10 drops of Eucalyptus



• 10 drops of Marjoram

Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The best way to treat carpal tunnel syndrome is to prevent it from happening! If you use your wrist and fingers a lot, take the following precautions:

Exercise your wrists

Try the following exercise:

• Shake out your wrists gently for about 10 seconds.



• Rotate your wrists gently - 5 times clockwise, 5 times counter-clockwise.



• Hold your arm straight in front of you, palm facing outward. Use the other hand to gently pull back your fingertips. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat with the other arm.

Take Frequent Breaks

Give your hands and wrists frequent breaks. Alternate tasks when possible. If you use equipment that vibrates or that requires you to exert a great amount of force, taking breaks is even more important.

Use a Wrist Rest

If you work on a computer, maintaining a good posture and using a wrist rest can reduce the risk of developing CTS.

Keep Warm

Try to keep your work environment warm and dry as cool and humid conditions tend to cause hand pain and stiffness to develop.

For more detailed information about using natural cures for carpal tunnel syndrome, visit Natural Carpal Tunnel Cures.

Learn more about how to use herbs and other natural remedies for your health: Natural Health Remedies 4U.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hazel_Ketko
http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Cures-For-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome&id=2519331

The Value of Detoxifying Your Body: Ridding Your Body of Toxins
With hazardous chemicals being found in everything from children's toys to food at the grocery store, it seems nothing we interact with is healthy anymore.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/697609/the_value_of_detoxifying_your_body.html

For those of you who are not familiar with the terms Tincture, Infusion, Compress, or Poultice I'm posting a very basic explanation of each term and what you do to make them.

I can not give exact amounts or times as it will depend on the tincture your making, what ingredients your using (herbs), and how strong you need it.

These are just basic little outlines to give you an idea of how to create each one of these herbal Remedy Methods.

Tinctures

Tinctures are a liquid extract of an herb prepared by steeping the herb in an alcohol. Usually vodka and most always 100 proof although some use 80 proof. The brand of vodka really doesn't matter, the proof does. You will be drinking this though so you may want to go with a step up from cheapest brand.


Typically you would use between 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup dried or fresh herbs in a sterile glass jar with an air tight lid.

You would then cover the herbs with 100 proof vodka.

Be sure to leave a little room in the jar for shaking as you shake most tincture daily to stir up the ingredients.

You then let your tincture set for a specified amount of time. The time frame can be very short (around two weeks) or very long (6 weeks for some). It depends on the strength of the tincture you making. The stronger you want or need it, the longer you let it set. It is not always a good idea to make your tinctures set for the strongest strength. You could accidentally 'overdose' yourself on the herb.

Doses are very important. Try starting out with the lowest dose possible, evaluate the results, and adjust accordingly. A few drops daily is average. I strongly recommend you search out typical doses for the tincture you making.

Tincture can usually be stored for varied amounts of time. Usually 6 months to 1 year. Seek out proper storage information for your tinctures.


Infusions:

An infusion is steeping or soaking herbs in liquid, usually water or oil, to extract the herbs health properties. Tea is an infusion.

Infusions are much quicker than tinctures but not near as concentrated, or strong. Since infusions are made using water or oil they are also easier to take for some people, especially older children obviously.

Typically you use 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh herb and cover with 1 cup boiling water. You adjust those measurements based on how much of an infusion you will need and how strong you need it to be.

You will let the herb steep for usually 10-15 minutes, then strain, and drink.

Typically dose are usually drinking 1 cup 3 times a day.

Search out typical doses for the specific infusion you are making.

It is best to make an infusion as you need it.


Compress:

A compress is usually used to treat external wounds, or bruises. You make a compress much the same way you make an infusion except you don't drink the infusion. Instead you soak a cloth in the infusion and apply the compress you the affected area. Repeating as often as necessary.


Poultice:

A poultice is a pack of dried or fresh herbs, enclosed in a muslin cloth, cheese cloth, or wrapped in a thick linen. The poultice is then warmed by soaking it in boiling water and applying it to the affected area of the body like a compress.