14C. Case Studies on the Outcome of Integrative Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Fingers

Focus Areas: Integrative Approaches to Care, Alleviating Pain Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, and deQuervaines' tenosynovitis are often regarded as surgical lesions. Using an interprofessional team approach, all these conditions can be treated with nonsurgical techniques. A 44-year-old accountant presented with hand pain requiring workplace accommodation. He had electrodiagnositc evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome bilaterally with the right side worse than the left. He was scheduled for surgery when he was offered the opportunity to see an integrative practitioner. He was treated integratively and with intramuscular stimulation, massage, and physical therapies. He achieved nonsurgical resolution of his complaints. He returned to full-time work. The course of treatment was 3 months, and the electrodiagnostics returned to normal after 6 months. A journalist presented with a very painful trigger finger on the index finger of his dominant hand. He was treated with intramuscular stimulation and low-intensity (cold) laser for 5 weekly sessions with resolution of the trigger finger. He resented 6 months later with shoulder pain also on the dominant side. He had a 50% reduction in shoulder abduction and painful internal rotation. He was woken at night by shoulder pain. He was treated with intramuscular stimulation and low-intensity (cold) laser and massage for 3 sessions. He had an improvement in range of motion and pain reduction. He returned to his exercise program and continued to improve. Long-term resolution of carpal tunnel and trigger fingers can be achieved without surgery at reduced risk and great savings to the system.