2023 Healthcare
Electro-acupuncture could positively impact a range of medical conditions by modulating brain activity and connectivity related to pain, emotion, and cognition.
Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes symptoms of tingling, numbness, weakness and pain in the wrists, hands and fingers.
It occurs when the carpal tunnel inside the wrist swells and puts pressure on one or more nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms usually starts and progresses gradually and the pain can come and go.
There is often no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. A combination of risk factors contributes to the development of the condition.
What is our clinical experience?
Based on feedback collected from over 2,003 initial appointments for Arm, Elbow & Hand Pain, 73% of our surveyed patients reported improved quality of life after their first 3 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.
InitialConsults
2,003
AverageAppointments
3
ImprovedQuality of Life
73%
Refer Family &Friends
87%
Who have we treated with this condition?
The age groups and genders we see most frequently with this condition. Note: this chart only represents the people who seek treatment at Ping Ming Health clinics for this condition.
- Female (51%)
- Male (49%)
| Age | Female % | Male % |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| 19 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| 20 | 0 | 0.05 |
| 21 | 0.1 | 0 |
| 22 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 23 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 24 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 25 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 26 | 0.2 | 0.05 |
| 27 | 0.15 | 0.1 |
| 28 | 0.35 | 0.15 |
| 29 | 0.25 | 0.3 |
| 30 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| 31 | 0.54 | 0.25 |
| 32 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| 33 | 0.69 | 0.35 |
| 34 | 0.74 | 0.64 |
| 35 | 0.79 | 0.64 |
| 36 | 0.99 | 0.64 |
| 37 | 0.59 | 0.99 |
| 38 | 1.14 | 0.59 |
| 39 | 0.84 | 0.99 |
| 40 | 0.45 | 1.04 |
| 41 | 1.19 | 0.89 |
| 42 | 1.58 | 1.34 |
| 43 | 0.94 | 1.34 |
| 44 | 0.94 | 1.09 |
| 45 | 1.34 | 1.54 |
| 46 | 1.29 | 1.34 |
| 47 | 0.94 | 1.98 |
| 48 | 0.94 | 1.29 |
| 49 | 1.24 | 0.94 |
| 50 | 1.68 | 1.39 |
| 51 | 0.84 | 1.78 |
| 52 | 1.63 | 1.19 |
| 53 | 1.34 | 2.13 |
| 54 | 1.54 | 1.04 |
| 55 | 1.68 | 0.89 |
| 56 | 1.44 | 1.44 |
| 57 | 1.98 | 1.73 |
| 58 | 0.79 | 1.24 |
| 59 | 1.54 | 0.79 |
| 60 | 1.04 | 1.14 |
| 61 | 1.78 | 0.94 |
| 62 | 0.94 | 0.84 |
| 63 | 1.09 | 0.99 |
| 64 | 0.89 | 0.79 |
| 65 | 1.09 | 0.94 |
| 66 | 0.84 | 0.84 |
| 67 | 0.99 | 1.09 |
| 68 | 0.54 | 0.79 |
| 69 | 0.79 | 0.74 |
| 70 | 0.94 | 0.45 |
| 71 | 0.79 | 0.5 |
| 72 | 0.69 | 0.64 |
| 73 | 0.84 | 0.4 |
| 74 | 0.74 | 0.4 |
| 75 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 76 | 0.35 | 0.54 |
| 77 | 0.3 | 0.25 |
| 78 | 0.4 | 0.45 |
| 79 | 0.4 | 0.15 |
| 80 | 0.15 | 0.4 |
| 81 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| 82 | 0.05 | 0.2 |
| 83 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 84 | 0.25 | 0.05 |
| 85 | 0.15 | 0.1 |
| 86 | 0.15 | 0.1 |
| 87 | 0.1 | 0.05 |
| 88 | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| 89 | 0.15 | 0 |
| 90 | 0.05 | 0 |
| 91 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| 92 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| 93 | 0.1 | 0 |
| 94 | 0.05 | 0 |
| 95 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 97 | 0.05 | 0 |
| 98 | 0 | 0.05 |
How many sessions of treatment?
The average number of appointments that patients attend for this condition. Some conditions respond quickly while others may require ongoing treatment.
Which types of treatments?
The types of treatments that are most frequently provided for this condition. Some treatments may be used in combination at the same time.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Summary of Recent Research
Recent systematic reviews and controlled trials have provided varied insights into the efficacy of Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture and electroacupuncture, in treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). A 2023 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience highlighted that acupuncture could offer superior pain relief compared to night splints and might enhance treatment outcomes when combined with other therapies, although it did not significantly alter symptom severity or functional status on its own. Additionally, a 2022 study in the Journal of Acupuncture Research noted that electroacupuncture was effective in improving CTS symptoms, showing significant differences from control groups in some metrics, though some results were inconclusive due to the limited quality and quantity of the studies involved.
Further exploration in 2021 and earlier has reinforced the potential benefits of these treatments. Notably, the Journal of Pharmacopuncture (2021) and Neuropediatrics (2020) found acupuncture to be generally safe and effective for mild to moderate CTS, with reported improvements in both symptom and neurophysiological responses. Importantly, these treatments were associated with minimal adverse effects, positioning acupuncture as a viable alternative to more invasive therapies like surgery, especially considering its effectiveness in comparison to standard pharmacological treatments such as ibuprofen, as shown in the 2019 Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies. These findings, however, must be tempered with caution due to the generally low or medium quality of evidence and the high risk of bias in some studies, underlining the need for more rigorous trials to fully establish the therapeutic value of acupuncture for CTS.
2023 Frontiers in Neuroscience
Acupuncture's effectiveness for carpal tunnel syndrome uncovers better pain relief compared to night splints and potential benefits when used alongside other treatments
2022 Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
2022 Journal of Acupuncture Research
Electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome was reported to be effective and showed a significant difference from the control group.
2021 Journal of Pharmacopuncture
Acupuncture can be used for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment without serious adverse effects.
2020 Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva / Journal of Invasive Techniques in Physical Therapy
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture are a therapeutic option for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome with a medium level of scientific evidence, tending towards a high level, and with a medium level of recommendation.
2019 Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal
The results of manual, traditional and non-invasive therapies are similar to those of surgical treatments, and even better in a very large number of cases.
2019 Clinical Rehabilitation
For both symptom relief and function improvement, manual acupuncture is superior to ibuprofen for carpal tunnel syndrome.
2017 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture therapy can lead to both clinical and morphological improvements in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
2016 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Acupuncture, specifically needle-based and electroacupuncture, can potentially provide therapeutic benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, and shoulder injuries.
2015 Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
Short-term acupuncture treatment is more effective than ibuprofen for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
2015 Neurology
The majority of trials demonstrate a positive effect of acupuncture over control condition in the treatment of neuropathy.
2011 The Journal of Pain
Short-term acupuncture treatment may provide long-term relief in mild-to-moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome patients.
2010 The Journal of Pain
A meta-analysis of acupuncture versus steroid block therapy favored acupuncture in terms of responder rate.
Seek personalised healthcare and advice
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you’ll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Research papers
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2023, Dec 19
Electro-Acupuncture Effects Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging—A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Healthcare
Electro-acupuncture was found to modulate brain activity and connectivity in regions associated with pain perception, emotional regulation, and cognitive processing in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity.
Rodrigues JM, Ventura C, Abreu M, Santos C, Monte J, Machado JP, Santos RV Full Article
2023, Feb 23
Acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment may be effective for patients with CTS. Additionally, more rigorous studies with objective outcomes are needed to investigate the effect of acupuncture in contrast with sham acupuncture or other active treatments.
Dong Q, Li X, Yuan P, Chen G, Li J, Deng J, Wu F, Yang Y, Fu H, Jin R Full Article
2022, Feb 01
The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review
Medical Acupuncture American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions. Clinicians should interpret the results with caution due to small sample sizes and clinical heterogeneity. Future research is warranted.
Trinh K, Zhou F, Belski N, Deng J, Wong CY Full Article
2022, May 31
Electroacupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Journal of Acupuncture Research Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society
Electroacupuncture was reported to have significant treatment results compared with the control group in methods such as total effectiveness, electromyography, and tip pinch strength. However, the quality of the studies (using risk of bias) does not allow reliable conclusions to be made. Many high quality (low risk of bias) randomized controlled trials are needed to examine the efficacy of electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Park CW, Lim MJ, Lee SW, Yi YH, Song DW, Yu SG, Kim MJ, Oh DY, Choi HJ, Ju AR Full Article
2021, Dec 31
Effect of Manual Acupuncture for Mild-to-Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Journal of Pharmacopuncture
Manual acupuncture can be used for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment without serious adverse effects.
Huh JH, Jeong HI, Kim KH Full Article
2020, May 26
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: Systematic review
Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva / Journal of Invasive Techniques in Physical Therapy
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture are a therapeutic option for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome with a medium level of scientific evidence, tending towards a high level, and with a medium level of recommendation.
Badia M, Santafé MM Full Article
2019, Sept 01
Systematic review of treatment methods for the carpal tunnel syndrome
Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal
The results of treatment comparisons have proved that non-invasive therapies are superior to surgical treatments, taking into consideration symptom improvement, the maximum period up to noticeable results, relapse situations, patients’ preferences, etc.
Glazer C, Pantea C Full Article
2019, Sept 26
Acupuncture and related interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome: systematic review
Clinical Rehabilitation
The study showcase that acupuncture patients found symptom relief and function improvement. Manual acupuncture was also found to be better than ibuprofen for long term relief.
Wu IXY, Lam VCK, Ho RST, Cheung WKW, Sit RWS, Chou LW, Zhang Y, Leung TH, Chung VCH Full Article
2017, Jan
The Acupuncture Effect on Median Nerve Morphology in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Ultrasonographic Study
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
After acupuncture therapy, the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) might have both clinical and morphological improvement.
Ural FG, Öztürk GT Full Article
2016, May 31
Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapies to Manage Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities: A Systematic Review
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
This article showcase the efficacy of acupuncture for carpel tunnel syndrome, piriformis, shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis and patellofemoral pain. The systematic reviews on randomised controlled trials research have showed that patients respond significantly better after treatments compared to the control group.
Cox, J., Varatharajan, S., Côté, P., & Optima Collaboration Full Article
2015, Oct
Efficacies of Acupuncture and Anti-inflammatory Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute
The findings indicated that acupuncture significantly improved wrist pain. Patients reported to have a decreased in numbness, better quality sleep and increased in wrist mobility. There is also an overall decreased with intake of painkillers and non-steroidoidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Hadianfard M, Bazrafshan E, Momeninejad H, Jahani N. Full Article
2015, May 8
Effects of Acupuncture on Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Neurology American Academy of Neurology
The majority of trials demonstrate a positive effect of acupuncture over control condition in the treatment of neuropathy. Further more rigorously designed studies are needed to better characterize this effect.
Alexandra Dimitrova, Charles Murchison, Barry Oken Full Article
2011, Feb
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Acupuncture Versus Oral Steroids for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Long-Term Follow-Up
The Journal of Pain American Pain Society
Short-term acupuncture treatment may result in long-term improvement in mild-to-moderate idiopathic CTS, making it a potential alternative therapy to other conservative treatments for those who do not opt for early surgical decompression.
Yang CP, Wang NH, Li TC, Hsieh CL, Chang HH, Hwang KL, Ko WS, Chang MH Full Article
2010, Nov 22
Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
The Journal of Pain American Pain Society
The systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that acupuncture as a symptomatic therapy for carpel tunnel. In the long run, the patients responded better with acupuncture than steroid block therapy.
Lee, H., Shim, H., Shin, B., Jung, A., Lee, M., & Ernst, E. Full Article
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