Cubital & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are nerve entrapment disorders.

Cubital tunnel syndrome, also known as ulnar nerve entrapment, is characterized by inflammation or compression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves entrapment of the median nerve. They can also result from nerve instability inside the nerve tunnel if the space is too large.

Cubital and Carpal tunnel syndromes can be caused by

• Prior injury to the elbow or wrist

• Repetitive use

• Arthritis deteriorating and inflaming the joints

Cubital & Carpal tunnel syndromes can also develop secondarily to an upstream nerve entrapment in the neck or can be cause secondary to several systematic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lipoma, ganglion cyst, and inflammation 

Most cases of cubital and carpal tunnel, however, are deemed idiopathic without any found damage to the tissues surrounding the nerve.

Symptoms of Cubital tunnel syndrome include

• Pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or muscle atrophy along the medial elbow and/or forearm

• Numbness and tingling often travels down the medial forearm into the 4th and 5th fingers or to the base of the thumb

• There may be a popping or snapping sensation inside the elbow with certain movements

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome include

• Pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or muscle atrophy at the wrist and thenar eminence

• Numbness at the base of the hand, thumb, and middle three fingers

• There may be a popping or snapping sensation in the wrist

Cubital & Carpal tunnel syndromes are often treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and compression braces. In prolonged or severe cases, surgery is done to open the tunnel and decompress the nerve.

Acupuncture can be an effective tool to reduce and prevent the progression of cubital and carpal tunnel syndromes, helping to gain mobility and reduce pain and numbness.

Anandkumar, S., & Manivasagam, M. (2019). Effect of dry needling on cubital tunnel syndrome: Three case reports. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 35(4), 363–372. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2018.1449275

Acupuncture treats cubital tunnel syndrome by

• Decreasing local inflammation which compresses the ulnar nerve

• Increasing circulation to promote tissue healing

• Releasing muscle tightness which can be contributing to compression

Schedule your free phone consultation with Victoria Ansell, LAc., to see how acupuncture can be incorporated into your cubital or carpal tunnel management plan.