Bio-Structural Integration™: The "Natural Way" of Healing with Osteopathy

General Description of Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, non-invasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles and spine. Its aim is to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.

This therapy is a unique holistic (whole body) approach to health care. Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use manual techniques to balance all the systems of the body, to provide overall good health and wellbeing.

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still established the practice of Osteopathy in the late 1800s in the United States of America, with the aim of using manual 'hands on' techniques to improve circulation and correct altered biomechanics, without the use of drugs.

What are the qualities of Osteopathy?

The philosophy of Osteopathy is what sets it apart from other medical disciplines. The key principles are based on all parts of the body functioning together in an integrated manner. If one part of the body is restricted, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and other health conditions. When the body is free of restrictions in movement, Osteopathic treatment assists the body with pain minimisation, reduced stress and greater mobility providing the body with the opportunity to heal itself.

Osteopaths use a broad range of gentle hands-on techniques including soft tissue stretching, deep tactile pressure, and mobilisation or manipulation of joints.

In some cases, Osteopaths can complement the advice given by GPs. For example, people who suffer from arthritis are often prescribed medication by their GP. In addition to that, Osteopaths can ease the pain caused by joint and muscle stiffness, by improving joint mobility and the flow of blood to the joints, and show arthritis sufferers how to prevent causing injury to themselves.

Osteopathy is a five-year university course, which includes a degree and masters qualification. Senior Osteopathy students complete clinical training under the supervision of registered Osteopaths at student teaching clinics Osteopaths believe in working as part of a health system of health providers and often refer back to the G.P. or another allied health professional where appropriate.

What are the benefits of Osteopathy?

Osteopathic treatment in itself is not 'preventative'. Osteopaths respect the body's natural ability as a self-regulating mechanism and only intervene when pain or discomfort is present. The benefits of osteopathy are the general improvement in mobility and structural stability of the body. In turn, other systems of the body such as the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems function more effectively and for a number of general conditions, minimal treatment is required.

What are the impacts of Osteopathy on our sleep patterns?

A key indicator of pain or discomfort is lack of sleep or restless nights. An effective osteopathic treatment outcome often reflects the first signs of recovery with a good night's sleep. Poor sleep patterns only serve to magnify the body's inability to function adequately and reduce our psychosomatic (Psychosomatic illnesses are those in which physical symptoms are caused or aggravated by emotional factors) ability to cope with pain.

Would there be any flow on effects for a patient's well-being?

Osteopathic treatment positively affects the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems, to deliver a more balanced body and better health overall. This combined with good dietary and /or exercise prescription can enhance a patient's well-being and often leads to a positive approach to individual health responsibility.

How does Osteopathy act to "prevent" ailments like back pain?

With our lives becoming increasingly busy, yet more sedentary, Osteopaths can offer prevention advice such as stretching exercises, lifting techniques, posture, breathing and stress reduction which is a great way for individuals to maintain their own health. In addition some lifestyle changes including diet or workplace ergonomics can dramatically improve one’s health and reduce ongoing health costs.

Early intervention by an Osteopath means you can be aware of potential sources of referred pain, and how you can make changes to your lifestyle now, so you won't have to deal with the pain later on.

What does Osteopathic treatment involve?

The first visit to an osteopath will run along the same lines as an initial visit to a GP. Medical history is taken and questions asked about lifestyle, diet and emotional status. The osteopathic manual practitioner will want to hear about all symptoms, as well as details of any past accidents or traumas, even if they may seem unrelated to the patient's current problem.

The patient may be asked to remove some outer clothing and to perform some simple movements. This is so the osteopath can observe how the patient is using their body, identify any obvious mobility impairment and evaluate posture. Neurological and orthopaedic tests help the osteopath to eliminate possible underlying pathologies and differentiate the basis of the patient's complaint.

Osteopaths are highly trained to manually locate points of restriction or excessive strain in various parts of the body. Using a finely tuned sense of touch or palpation, the osteopath will assess the spine, joints, muscles and tendons. (An osteopath may also ask for current blood tests or X-rays to confirm findings, or review existing diagnostic results where available.)

In the initial consultation the osteopath will be able to offer a diagnosis and discuss a treatment program. Treatment could include such techniques as soft tissue stretching, to increase blood flow and improve flexibility of joints and muscles; articulation to mobilize joints by being passively taken through their range of motion; and muscle energy, to release tightness on the muscles by alternatively being stretched and made to work against resistance.

Because osteopathy emphasizes self-healing, an osteopath may also advise dietary changes, home exercise programs and lifestyle adjustments. All treatment programs are individualized and depend on the patient's current condition, past history and ability to adapt to change. Most simple problems often require only 2-4 treatments.

“How can someone expect to feel over the long-term if they don't undertake Osteopathic Manipulations for example, Back Pain?”

If you ignore the signs of back pain this can develop into other forms of referred pain around the body, such as neck, shoulder or leg pain. Longer term this can have deep psychological ramifications which makes it harder for a patient to accept recovery as an achievable goal and like most long term health conditions can lead to depression.

According to osteopathic philosophy, all parts of the body are interconnected and affect each other. However, if someone experiencing back pain does visit an Osteopath, this means the back pain can be treated and potential referred pain can be avoided. Of course, this improves your overall health and well-being, allowing you to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.

What Conditions are Treated by Osteopathy?

We treat more than you think. Many patients come with complaints of aches in the head, back, neck, and heel/foot pain; sciatica; shin splints; tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury. Other patients suffer from asthma; arthritis; digestive problems; carpal tunnel syndrome; whiplash and postural problems.

At Osteoklinika we treat the following conditions (and more!)  

• Low Back and Neck Pain

• Migraines and Headaches

• Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain

• Sciatica

• Temporo- Mandibular (jaw) Pain

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• Constipation

• Incontinence

• Neurological Disorders

• Chronic Ear Infections

• Post Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma

• Genitourinary Problems

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb

• Tendonitis and Bursitis

• Dermal ulcers

• Dermatological conditions

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• Piriformis Syndrome

• Patello-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella

• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Frozen Shoulder

Osteopaths also deal regularly with patients who have been injured in the workplace, at home or while playing sports.

Message from Andrew Subieta M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T., Founder of OsteoKlinika

I believe that my method of Bio-Structural Integration™ developed for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is going to change the face of Alternative Therapy.

All of us know about physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy. Unfortunately these modalities are used in isolation and do not address the problem at multiple levels. Therapy that is centered around only one system simply doesn’t work.

The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™ I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use Osteopathic Structural Adjustments to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. 

After the structure is realigned I recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy to deal with inflammation. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

As a result muscles and ligaments relax, fascia releases its tension , flexibility increases bringing back normal range of motion and reduction of pain.

After the pain is reduced and structure realigned, my patients have a one-on-one session with a Certified Yoga Teacher to show them proper Rehab Yoga exercises to stretch and strengthten the injured area. One month free membership is provided to each patient by OsteoKlinika in one of the Hot Yoga Wellness Inc. locations depending on your choice.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn’t give up! During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult to treat conditions.

Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain.

We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.

Natural Extract Puts Drugs For Knee Osteoarthritis To Shame!

Millions take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily for arthritis and related inflammatory conditions, but are completely unaware that far safer, and at least as effective, natural alternatives already exist -- and are as easily accessible and inexpensive as the spices found in your kitchen cupboard.

Human research on the health benefits of turmeric is sparse, mainly due to the lack of capital available to fund expensive clinical trials. Despite many decades of investigation as a lead drug compound, and the availability of thousands of preclinical studies indicating turmeric's therapeutic value, few yet realize that this common kitchen spice may provide a suitable drug alternative for common health conditions.

The latest human study to clinically confirm turmeric's medicinal value was published in the Indonesian Journal of Internal Medicine in April, 2012 and found the curcuminoid extract of turmeric was able to reduce inflammation in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

Researchers compared the effect of a curcuminoid extract to the NSAID drug diclofenac sodium in reducing cycloxygenase -2  (COX-2) secretion by synovial fluid's monocytes in two, randomly divided, groups suffering with knee osteoarthritis.

The synovial fluid is an egg yolk-like liquid within the cavities of the synovial joints, which serves to reduce friction between articular cartilages during movement. In knee osteoarthritis, a condition that afflicts 1 in 2 people by the age of 85 years, the immune cells known as monocytes express increased inflammatory COX-2 enzyme activity within the synovial fluid.

In the study, subjects were given either 30 mg 3 times daily of turmeric extract (curcuminoid) or 25 mg 3 times daily of diclofenac sodium for 4 weeks. After the treatment period, aspiration of the joint as performed and the secretion of cycloxygenase-2 enzyme by synovial fluid's monocytes was evaluated.

Results were reported as follows:

In curcuminoid group the average scores were 1.84±0.37 and 1.15±0.28 respectively (p<0.001). In diclofenac group the average scores were 1.79±0.38 and 1.12±0.27 respectively (p<0.001). In curcuminoid group the decreasing score of cycloxygenase-2 secretion was 0.70±0.51 while in diclofenac group was 0.67±0.45. There was no significant difference in decreasing the score of cyclooxygenase enzyme secretion between both treatment groups (p=0.89).

In summary, both curcuminoid and diclofenac sodium were capable of significantly decreasing the secretion of the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, with nearly identical potency.

Discussion

This is not the first human study to confirm turmeric is at least as effective as an NSAID drug in reducing the symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found 2,000 mg of turmeric extract was as effective as 800 mg of ibuprofen in reducing symptoms of pain and inflammation. - Sayer Ji

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/turmeric-extract-puts-drugs-knee-osteoarthritis-shame?page=1

What is most remarkable about the more recent study is not that turmeric curcuminoids have potent anti-inflammatory properties – there are already hundreds of studies confirming its COX-2 reducing and otherwise anti-inflammatory effects - but rather how much safer they are relative to NSAID drugs like diclofenac, which like most pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs have been linked to adverse health effects such as increased cardiac mortality, miscarriage and seizure.

One way to assess the relative toxicity of these two compounds is to compare the primary polyphenol in turmeric, curcumin, with diclofenac sodium through their respective Material Safety Data Sheets, which contain detailed information on the toxicity of these substances.

Diclofenac Sodium: The LD50 for mice is 95 mg/kg, meaning that it only takes 95 mg/kg of mouse to acutely kill 50% of an exposed group.

Curcumin: The LD50 for mice is >2,000 mg/kg, meaning that it would take more than 2,000  mg/kg of mouse to acutely kill 50% of an exposed group.

 

In order to get perspective on how toxic an LD50 of 95 mg/kg is, let's first calculate how much of this chemical it would take in milligrams to kill an average sized mouse. Mice are between 15-27 grams, depending on their age, strain and diet. If we take the average between the two, at 21 grams, our mouse would weigh 0.021 kilograms. This means that it only takes 1.9 milligrams to acutely kill 50% of the mice given such a dose.

Extrapolating to humans, an average 150 lb adult weighs 68.03 kilograms; it would only take 6462 milligrams, or 6.46 grams to kill 50% of the humans given the dose. This is less than the weight of three pennies (7.5 grams). Compare this to the LD50 of curcumin (2,000 mg/kg), where it would take more than 136,000 mgs (4.86 ounces) to kill 50% of the humans given it – and even this estimation is doubtful, since it is likely that it would simply be vomited up, or expelled through the gastrointestinal tract, and other organs of elimination, before reaching lethal levels in the body. Also, remember that it only took 90 mg a day in the aforementioned study to reduce inflammation as effectively as diclofenac sodium. The difference between the 90 mg required producing an effective response, and a (theoretical) 136,000 mg threshold for lethal toxicity, is four orders of magnitude.

In practical terms, the chance of you hurting yourself with a drug like diclofenac sodium - ironically, in an attempt to reduce pain - as compared to a simple kitchen spice like turmeric, is infinitely higher. Consider too, that there are over 100 known adverse health effects associated with this chemical class of drugs, whereas turmeric (and curcumin) has been linked to over 600 beneficial ones -- not exactly a hard choice to make, when it comes to risk-benefit analysis. - Sayer JiJi, Founder of Greenmed

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Med. 2010 May;25(5):729-34. PMID: 19678780

Note:  The information provided here is not intended to sell anything, nor designed to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease, and is provided to bring awareness and for your medical caregiver to consider natural alternatives. - Andrew Subieta

905.660.8810

Bio-Structural Integration™

Every cell in our body works synergistically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™, I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use an Osteopathic Muscle Energy Technique to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment.

After the structure is realigned I recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) to deal with inflammation. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated and the protocol selected. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints. As a result, muscles and ligaments relax; fascia releases its tension, flexibility increases bringing back normal range of motion and reduction of pain.

The program of rehabilitation could be up to 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you should not give up!  Surgery should be the last resort!  During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult-to-treat conditions. Ask us about osteoarthritis. 

Here are some of the conditions we treat at Osteoklinika:

• Low back and Neck Pain
• Migraines and Headaches
• Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Angle and Foot Pain
• Sciatica
• Temporal - Mandibular (Jaw) Pain
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Constipation
• Incontinence
• Neurological Disorders
• Chronic Ear Infections
• Post-Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma
• Genitourinary Problems
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendinitis and Bursitis
• Dermal Ulcers
• Dermatological conditions
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Patella-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella
• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Frozen Shoulder

"Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain." - Andrew Subieta

Before you consider surgery or drugs;or if you are still experiencing pain more than 6 months after surgery, for more information about inflammation and pain, Andrew Subieta can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for learn more about our unique, trademarked process called  Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.   

Bio-Structural Integration™: Arthritis

Research says that healthy joints not only could save your hips, knees and back from painful arthritis, it could save your life by avoiding premature death!

If is the knee or hip osteoarthritis – the common joint destroyer that plagues one in four by middle age – can raise your risk for an early death by 55 percent, boosting your odds of dying from heart disease by 71 percent, of deadly cancers by 32 percent, of lethal breathing problems by 29 percent and of fatal dementia by a whopping 99 percent.

Sitting and lying down are big reasons things go really bad when parts of your skeleton start acting up. Sure, if your knees or hips are howling, or your back’s in spasm, your first instinct is to stay still.

That’s OK for a few days while the pain backs off, but after that, staying still only triggers a “cycle of inactivity” in which you sit so long you get stiff, and when you do move, your joints feel worse, so you sit some more. You gain weight because you’re not burning calories and the extra weight stresses your knees, hips and spine.

Regularly taking certain pain-relievers increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. And, finally, the joint damage done by osteoarthritis can cause smoldering, body-wide inflammation that fuels cancer, dementia, diabetes and heart disease.

So don’t live with joint pain. Here are a few tips for staying off the inactive list:

Don’t shrug off small ouches. If your family members have osteoarthritis, take it seriously. Arthritis isn't just the result of high-school football or cheer leading injuries. Genetics play a role. The sooner you start to prevent trouble, the healthier your joints and, now, the longer your life will be.

You Have to Move!  

Get a move on. Stretches, strength training and joint-friendly activities such as swimming or riding an exercise bike can make a huge difference, whether you’re in small trouble or serious straits. Simply building up your quadraceps – the powerful muscles in the front of your thighs – can significantly reduce knee pain. A gentle yoga routine that’s modified to suit your joints will likely help, too.



Lose weight.

Every excess pound you shed takes four pounds of pressure off your knees. On a one-mile walk, that translates to 4,800 fewer pounds that your knees have to support. Your hips and back benefit too!




Eat against inflammation. Many foods help stifle joint-damaging, heart-threatening inflammation.

Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods:

- berries
- ginger
- avocado
- walnuts
- salmon
- trout

The potent inflammation fighters in many of them are omega-3s.

It is a matter of life and death!

How Does Arthritis Affect You?

• 4.5 million, or 1 in 6 Canadians, aged 15 years and older report having some form of arthritis.
• Two thirds of those affected with arthritis are women.
• Arthritis costs the Canadian economy more than 33 billion annually.
• Among all the causes of disability in Canada, arthritis ranks first among women and second among men.

Note:  Conventional therapies focus on pharmaceuticals which serve to mask symptoms and often have adverse effects. Problems with arthritic medications such as Vioxx, documented in The New England Journal of Medicine, have led many sufferers to seek safer alternatives. We recommend Low Light Laser Therapy at Osteoklinika.  

Add caption

We can help you - we have a proven track record for dealing with pain management and rehabilitation.  For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website  www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™ at Osteoklinika!  #osteoklinika #nopain #Vaughan

Bio-Structural Integration™: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a disorder of nerves. It happens when the nerve running from the forearm till the palm of the hand gets damaged, is pressed or squeezed. It has specific symptoms attached to it. It causes the feeling of numbness in the sufferers hand along with other occurrences of pain and tingling. Often the repetitive movement of hands over a long period of time causes this disorder. It is a very painful disorder and is often unbearable. But there are various ways to treat this disorder in an effective manner. 

The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in the wrist. It contains wrist bones and a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) across the wrist where the palm and forearm meet. Tendons and the median nerve pass through this space to your hand. The median nerve supplies feeling and some movement to part of the hand. It is usually caused when an illness or other problem makes the carpal tunnel space too small. This puts pressure on the median nerve and causes pain, tingling, and other symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a combination of health conditions and activities puts pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. This pressure leads to symptoms because the median nerve supplies feeling and some movement to part of the hand. So anything that decreases the amount of space in the carpal tunnel increases the amount of tissue in the tunnel or increases the sensitivity of the median nerve can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Common Symptoms:

Tingling or numbness - you may experience tingling and numbness in your fingers or hand, especially your thumb and index, middle or ring fingers, but not your little finger. This sensation often occurs while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper or, commonly, waking you from sleeping. The sensation may extend from your wrist up your arm.  Many people "shake out" their hands to try to relieve their symptoms. As the disorder progresses, the numb feeling may become constant.

Weakness - you may experience weakness in your hand and a tendency to drop objects. This may be due to the numbness in your hand or weakness of the thumb's pinching muscles controlled by the median nerve.

Can't Sleep at Night - you may experience a loss of sleep due to a different sensations.

Things that may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome

Conditions or illnesses that can cause or contribute to arm pain or swelling in the joints and soft tissues in the arm, or to reduced blood flow to the hands. These include:

• obesity
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gout
• diabetes
• lupus
• hypothyroidism
• Repeated hand and wrist movements - can cause the membranes surrounding the tendons to swell (tenosynovitis).  (Computer, mousing, etc.)
• Broken wrist bones, dislocated bones, new bone growth from healing bones, or bone spurs - can take up space in the carpal tunnel and put more pressure on the median nerve.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common work-related condition. It can be caused by work that requires:

1. Forceful or repetitive hand movements
2. Hand-arm vibration
3. Working for long periods in the same or awkward positions

Carpal tunnel syndrome is even more likely if you have these work-related issues along with other health conditions.

Other Treatments for Carpal Tunnel

In some cases the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome cannot be found, but it can be treated! It important that you know you have choices.  Carpal tunnel syndrome should be treated as early as possible after you begin to experience symptoms.

Tip:  If you are a regular computer user, switch your mouse or pad hand!  It only takes a few times to get used to it and that will give your affected hand a real break and could even lead to healing!

Take Breaks and Apply Cold

Some people with mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can ease their discomfort by taking more frequent breaks to rest their hands, avoiding activities that worsen symptoms. 

Apply cold packs to reduce occasional swelling

If these techniques don't offer relief within a few weeks, additional treatment options include wrist splinting and medical convention suggests medications and surgery.

Splinting and other conservative treatments are more likely to help you if you've had only mild to moderate symptoms for less than 10 months.

Natural Remedies - Inflammation

Vitamin B6 and Lipoic Acid can help reduce inflammation or swelling. You should reduce or eliminate saturated fats and fried foods. Large amounts of alcohol, caffeine or tobacco also contribute to risk factors associated with Carpal Tunnel. Avoid foods containing yellow (hydrazine) dyes and boost your intake of whole grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables. If you suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, find out if you are Vitamin B6 deficient. You can get B6 through a variety of foods including sweet potatoes, avocados, brown rice, sunflower seeds, chick peas, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, potatoes, barley, bananas, mangoes. Most foods contain only about a mg of B6 per serving. It may take several weeks, even up to a few months, before you notice a change. 


Supplementing your diet with Vitamin B6 is thought to be the most effective natural remedy for Carpal Tunnel especially in the early stages of this problem. B6 reduces swelling. 


Do not take any vitamin supplement without consulting a naturopath or doctor. Taking more than 100 mg of B6 could be dangerous because the pyroxidine could cause neurological problems. You don’t want to trade one malady for another. Foods such as pineapples contain a vitamin called bromelianm, an enzyme that can help reduce tissue swelling.  

Do exercises. There are various types of exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which provide absolute comfort.

Learn about the variety of herbs that are useful for CTS.

Non-surgical therapy

If the condition is diagnosed early, non-surgical methods may help improve carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods may include:

• Wrist splinting - a splint that holds your wrist still while you sleep can help relieve nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness. (Nighttime splinting may be a good option if you're pregnant and have carpal tunnel syndrome.)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may help relieve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome in the short term.
• Corticosteroids. Your doctor may inject your carpal tunnel with a corticosteroid such as cortisone to relieve your pain. Corticosteroids decrease inflammation and swelling, which relieves pressure on the median nerve. Oral corticosteroids aren't considered as effective as corticosteroid injections for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

There isn't evidence, however, that these drugs improve carpal tunnel syndrome.

If carpal tunnel syndrome results from an inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, then treating the arthritis may reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, but this hasn't been proved.

Surgery

If your symptoms are severe or persist after trying non-surgical therapy, surgery is recommended by the medical community and in extreme cases, might be the most appropriate option.

The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure on your median nerve by cutting the ligament pressing on the nerve.The surgery may be performed with two different techniques.Discuss the risks and benefits of each technique with your surgeon before surgery. Surgery risks may include incomplete release of the ligament, wound infections, scar formation, and nerve or vascular injuries. The final results of endoscopic and open surgery are similar.

Endoscopic surgery. In endoscopic surgery, your surgeon uses a telescope-like device with a tiny camera attached to it (endoscope) to see inside your carpal tunnel and cut the ligament through one or two small incisions in your hand or wrist.

Endoscopic surgery may result in less pain than does open surgery in the first few days or weeks after surgery.

Open surgery. In open surgery, your surgeon makes a larger incision in the palm of your hand over the carpal tunnel and cuts through the ligament to free the nerve. This procedure may also be conducted using a smaller incision, which may reduce the risk of complications.

During the healing process after the surgery, the ligament tissues gradually grow back together while allowing more room for the nerve than existed before.

Soreness or weakness may take from several weeks to a few months to resolve after surgery. If your symptoms were very severe before surgery, symptoms may not go away completely after surgery.

Bio-Structural Integration™ and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

A faster and non-invasive, non-surgical, drug-free method is available at Osteoklinika; we have had continued success with our patients at all stages of carpal tunnel.   

Every cell in our body works synergistically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™, I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use an Osteopathic Muscle Energy Technique to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. After the structure is realigned I recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) to deal with inflammation. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated and the protocol selected. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints. As a result, muscles and ligaments relax; fascia releases its tension, flexibility increases bringing back normal range of motion and reduction of pain.

The program of rehabilitation could be up to 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you should not give up!  Surgery should be the last resort!  During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult-to-treat conditions.

This is not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome!

Here are some of the conditions we treat at Osteoklinika:

• Low back and Neck Pain
• Migraines and Headaches
• Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Angle and Foot Pain
• Sciatica
• Temporal - Mandibular (Jaw) Pain
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Constipation
• Incontinence
• Neurological Disorders
• Chronic Ear Infections
• Post-Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma
• Genitourinary Problems
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendinitis and Bursitis
• Dermal Ulcers
• Dermatological conditions
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Patella-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella
• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Frozen Shoulder

"Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain." - Andrew Subieta

I can’t thank you enough for having helped me with the chronic pain I was experiencing in my arms and shoulders due to a medical mishap that occurred about six years ago. With the first visit to your clinic early this year, you were not only able to relieve most of the pain but you also allowed me to regain movement in my arms, which is something I was not able to do in years. I was completely shocked that after seeing numerous doctors and being put on several different types of medication, you were able to help me without the use of drugs and without many visits.

In June of 2014, I visited with you again with regard to a different matter. After being advised by one of the top neurologists at Mount Sinai Hospital that I had an acute case of carpal tunnel and that I would require surgery as soon as possible, you immediately took action again and with a few treatments by you and your associate Osteopath, combined with some laser therapy treatments, I was able to cancel my surgery date and stop taking the painkillers prescribed to me by the doctors I had seen at Markham Stouffville Hospital and at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.

Today, I am happy to report that I have regained almost 95% of the feeling back in my fingers and wrists and I have been able to remain surgery free.

I am not quite sure how you do what you do but I consider you somewhat of a miracle worker. I have recommended you to several people I know who have been suffering with various ailments (i.e. severe back, arm and foot pain) and they have all been extremely happy with the results you have given them.

Thank you again for everything you have done for me. I don’t think I could be living the quality of life I am living now without your outstanding and wonderful work." – Dolores | Toronto, Ontario

We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.