International Journal of Medicine

and Pharmaceutical Science (IJMPS)

ISSN (P): 2250-0049; ISSN (E): 2321-0095
Vol. 12, Issue 2, Dec 2022, 1– 4
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

MANAGEMENT OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME – A CASE STUDY

DR. SEETHA DEVI P1, DR. MANASA S D2 & DR POOJA D3

1
Reader, Department of Panchakarma, JSS Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Panchakarma, JSS Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
3
PG Scholar, Department of Panchakarma, JSS Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand,
becomes pressed or squeezes at the wrist. The main symptoms are pain in the hand and arm with numbness or tingling,
hand weakness or wrist weakness. The Lakshans of Vishwachi closely resembles Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Vishwachi is
characterized by functional loss of hand following dysfunction of Vata in Kandara of the hand. Female Patient aged
about 40 yrs came with the history of severe pain in wrist joint, forearm, arm associated with numbness and weakness in
the hand. Ekanga Dhanyamla Seka, Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda and Shamaoushadhis like Vishatinduka Vati.
Trayodashanga Guggulu found effective in management of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

KEYWORDS:- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Vishwachi, Panchakarma

Original Article
Received: May 22, 2022; Accepted: Jun 17, 2022; Published: Feb 22, 2022; Paper Id: IJMPSDEC20221

INTRODUCTION

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand,
becomes pressed or squeezes at the wrist. The main symptoms are pain in the hand and arm with numbness or
tingling sensation, hand weakness or wrist weakness. The Carpel tunnel is a narrow, rigid passage way of ligament
and bones at the base of the hand houses the median nerve and the tendons that bend the fingers. The median nerve
produces sensation to the palm sides of the thumb and to the index, middle, and part of ring finger. It also controls
some small muscles at the base of the thumb1.

Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel or other
swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. The pain extends upwards to the arm. The
discomfort also extends to the shoulder and forearm. There will be weakness or atrophy of thenar muscles.

The Lakshans of Viswachi closely resembles Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Vishwachi is characterized by
functional loss of hand following dysfunction of Vata in Kandara of the hand2.

Any movements of Gati is the function of Vyana Vayu. The normal Vyana Vata in Kandaras helps for
proper sensory and motor activity. Vikruta Karma of Vyana Vata causes signs and symptoms of Neuropathy like
numbness and tingling Vata plays a major role in this condition.

CASE REPORT

Chief Complaints – Pain and numbness radiates from hand to forearm and arm.

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2 Dr. Seetha Devi P, Dr. Manasa S D & Dr Pooja D

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

Female Patient aged about 40 yrs came with the history of severe pain in wrist joint, forearm, arm associated with
numbness and weakness in the hand. Patient is house maker used to do all household works. Pain aggrevates while doing
her routine work. She also complaints of disturbed sleep due to increase of pain during midst of night and afterwards pain
continuous till morning. There was no history of trauma.

HISTORY OF PAST ILLNESS

Examination of left hand
Range of movement - shoulder joint, elbow joint is normal.

Tenderness - present in arm and forearm.

Tunnel sign - positive shooting pain from then wrist.

On performing Phalen’s test - patient is instructed to bend the wrist forwards completely for 60 seconds increased the pain
and numbness.

Hand elevation test – patient is Non – diabetic, not hypertensive.

ASHTAVIDHA PARIKSHA

Nadi - 80/min Mala - once daily Mutra - 3-4 times/ day and 0-1 times at night Jihwa - Aliptha Shabda - Prakrutha Sparsha
- Prakrutha Drik - Prakrutha Akriti - Madhyama Vitals - stable BP – 130/80 mm Hg Pulse rate – 80/min Respiratory rate –
20/min

TREATMENT PLAN

 Ekanga Dhanyamla Seka to left hand for 3 days. 2. Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda is done for 7 days with
application of Murivenna Taila. 3. Vishatinduka Vati (1-0-1) for 30 days. 4.Trayodashanga Guggulu (1-0-1) for
30 days. 5. Ekanga Abhyanga with Murivenna Taila for 20 days. 6. Application of Kolakulattadi Lepa for 20
days. 7. Ksheerabala 101 10 drops for 30 days.

RESULTS

Patient got relieved from Shoola and numbness after 1 month of treatment. Marked improvement is observed in the range
of movements of wrist joint without any discomfort.

DISCUSSION

Carpel Tunnel is bounded by bones on three sides and a ligament on one side. The floor is an osseous arch formed by the
carpel bones and the roof is formed by the transverse carpel ligament. Tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis and
profoundus in a common sheath, tendon of flexor pollicis longus in an independent sheath and the median nerve. Synovitis
of the above tendons can generate pressure on the nerve. The causes may be general like inflammatory, endocrine and
metabolic cause. Local causes like malunited colle’s fracture, ganglion in the carpel region, osteoarthritis of the carpel
bones, wrist contusion, hematoma etc. Here in this case the patient presents with the clinical stages or features resembling
to stage 1 and stage 2 and was treated by the above mentioned Panchakarma Therapies.

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 Management of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome – A Case Study 3

In Ayurveda the advanced stages of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome can be resembled to the Lakshanas of Vishwachi,
which is considered as dysfunction of Vata in the Kandara that is Vyana Vata which is responsible for movement and
nerve conduction dysfunction within the median nerve is due to Kupita Vata.

As per Ayurveda specific Nidanas are not mentioned. However, all the vata aggrevating factors especially the
aggrevating aspects of Udana, Vyana Vata etc, can be considered as the cause for this disease.

As the patient is having the symptoms like numbness and reduced sensation which is because of Kapha
association with Vata. Dhanyamlaseka is useful3. The Dhanyamla is having Amla Rasa, Laghu, Teekshna, Snigdha,
Ashukari, Sukshma Gunas and Vatakapha hara in action and Shoshahara (checks wasting of tissues) and Balapradham
(provides strength to tissues).

After Kapha Nirharana to treat the wasting of thenar muscles and to reduce weakness in hands, Vata Shamana
and Brumhana is needed which is achieved with Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda. Bala and Godugdha that is used to cook the
Shashtika Shali is Snigdha, Balya, Rasayana, Vatahara4. This Swedana cleans and opens up the channels of Srotas thus
facilitates more nourishment of Vata Dosha.

After 10 days of course of treatment patient is advised to do Abhyanga with Murivenna Taila which is
Vatakaphahara and having the base of coconut oil increases the permeability of the skin and helps in relieving symptoms
like pain, numbness and weakness of hands.

Ingredients of Kolakulatadi Lepa 5are Kola, Kulattha, Suradaru, Rasna, Masha, Atasi, Kustha, Vacha, Shatahva,
Yava and Tailaphala, which is helps in reliving the pain.

The main ingredient in Vishatinduka Vati is Shuddha Kuchala ( strychnos nux – vomica) and acts on nerves,
senses and muscles, which is having Kapha Vatahara Vishaghna, in action and which helps to relieve the pain, numbness
and weakness in the patient6.

Trayodoshanga Guggulu which is Brimhana Guggulu having ingredients like Aabha(babbul), Ashwagandha,
Hapusha, Guduchi, Shatavari,Gokshura, Vriddhadaru, Rasna, Sahatapuspha, Karchur, Yavani, Shunthi, Guggulu and
Gritha 7. As in this preparation Guggulu is used as its base and is found most beneficial in Vataja Shoola which is given
for 20days.

These therapies effectively relieve inflammation in the nerves and heal the damaged nerves.

CONCLUSIONS

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome can be effectively managed with Ekanga Dhanyamla Seka followed by Shashtika Shali Pinda
Sweda and Ekanga Abhyanga, Lepa by relieving pain and numbness of hand.

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4 Dr. Seetha Devi P, Dr. Manasa S D & Dr Pooja D

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Impact Factor (JCC): 8.9887 NAAS Rating: 4.14