© 2005 Katherine Poehlmann,
Ph.D.
Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome (CTS) bears all the hallmarks of a possible mycoplasmal infection. The
author’s personal experience led to this observation. Soon after a severe flu
swept through the company ranks one winter, employees who typically spent hours
each day at computer terminals suddenly complained of wrist pain. Dozens of
requests for wrist support braces were made to the onsite health services
office. Many of these workers were career secretaries who had never before
experienced any carpal tunnel problems before having the flu. My belief is that
latent mycoplasmal infection was reinvigorated by exposure to Streptococcus.
It is estimated
that more than 2% of the U.S. population (approximately 5.5 million people) are
affected by CTS, and this number is growing. CTS surgery has become the most common
operation performed on the hand. Over 200,000 Americans undergo CTS correction
surgery.
Surgical
treatment for CTS has been part of mainstream medicine since 1947. Its pioneer,
Dr. George S. Phalen, now retired, admits that more than half of his patients
did not need surgery. Dr. Phalen notes that 85% of his CTS patients were older,
female homemakers who did not perform repetitive motions.
In the early 1970s, Dr. John Ellis discovered that CTS was caused by a vitamin deficiency. Mainstream medical theory still maintains that repetitive motion is the cause of CTS. While repeated action certainly exacerbates CTS symptoms, severe B6 (riboflavin) deficiency has been shown to be a major cofactor in the disease.
In a
series of studies and carefully documented experiments, Dr. Ellis detected very
low levels of the enzyme erythrocyte glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (EGOT)
that reflects vitamin B6 activity in the body. A simple regimen of 100 mg of B6
taken twice daily for 90 days raises EGOT to normal levels. A bottle of Vitamin
B6 costs $5 – a worthwhile experiment to try for a few months before
considering $3,000 surgery. It is advisable to discuss this plan with your
physician to avoid any possible adverse interactions between supplements, your
health condition, and prescription drugs.
Since all
vitamins in the B-complex typically work together, a B6 deficiency probably
points to other diet deficiencies. Although B6 is present in a wide variety of
foods, it is not available in large quantities. Vitamin B6 is lost through
cooking and through the processing of refined foods, so it is easy to develop a
deficiency. A qualified, credentialed nutritionist can perform vitamin
deficiency tests and use the results as a basis for a tailored, personal
dietary profile for you.
Vitamin B6 is essential for
the body’s production of all but two of the twenty most important amino acids
and for 118 known enzymes. A B6 deficiency weakens the body’s ability to
synthesize collagen and elastin fibrils that bind tissues together. This
condition makes tissues more vulnerable to injury and/or infection. Decreased
collagen production takes its toll on cartilage throughout the body, but
especially in the stressed CTS areas where arthritis may develop. A severe
vitamin deficiency generally weakens the immune system. Cartilage deterioration
is an important factor in both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
Reducing repetitive movement
while correcting the B6 deficiency will speed healing. Because B6 is a diuretic
it reduces the edema usually associated with CTS. Individuals taking high doses
of B6 should be careful to increase water intake and perhaps may need to add
magnesium and potassium supplements to replace these lost nutrients. Again,
confer with your physician. It is never a mistake to drink plenty of pure (not
tap) water.
In rare cases
where nerve tissue has been seriously damaged, surgery might be required.
However, surgery should always be a last resort after all other options have
been explored.
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Dr. Poehlmann is
the author of Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Infection Connection, available
at Amazon.com and major bookstores, or click here to order now.
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