This is caused by compression of the medial nerve in the carpal tunnel and refers to a type of ‘Painful Obstruction Syndrome’ in Chinese medicine.

It is an obstruction within the acupuncture channels that flow in the wrist. To treat this, it is important to identify what channels are affected and then palpate along the whole acupuncture channel to find points that are tender. Acupuncture is a good treatment choice for this condition because acupuncture needles inserted in the correct areas are very effective at moving obstructions.

There may also be fluid retention that aggravates the condition. This is common with women leading up to their period. If there is an obvious cyclic pattern then there is likely to be water retention. Acupuncture is effective at regulating the water balance or resolving 'Damp' as it is termed in Chinese medicine. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also occur during pregnancy, which again is caused by excessive water retention and can be corrected with acupuncture treatment.