Acupressure for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Is It Effective?

• Studies suggest that acupressure may help ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, but the effects haven’t been fully proven yet.
• The risks of acupressure are generally low and might include temporary discomfort or bruising.
• Professional acupressure sessions usually cost around $50 to $100 per session, while doing it yourself is almost free.
• Other similar alternative therapies include acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu, tuina, qigong, and massage therapy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects millions of people, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist¹. While wrist splints, medications, or even surgery are common treatments, some turn to alternative therapies like acupressure for relief.

Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupressure involves pressing specific points on the body to ease symptoms and promote healing. But does it really work for CTS? Let’s dive into the evidence, risks, costs, and more to find out.

What Is Acupressure?

Imagine your body as a network of highways carrying energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”), through pathways called meridians. According to TCM, when these pathways get blocked, symptoms like pain or numbness can pop up. Acupressure clears these traffic jams by applying firm pressure to specific spots—called acupoints—using fingers or tools. Unlike its cousin acupuncture, which uses needles, acupressure is non-invasive and something you can even try at home².

For CTS, practitioners often target points around the wrist and hand to relieve pressure on the median nerve—the key player in this condition³.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Picture the carpal tunnel as a narrow tunnel in your wrist, housing the median nerve and tendons that help your fingers move. When this tunnel gets squeezed—say, from repetitive motions like typing or conditions like arthritis—the median nerve takes the hit⁴. The result? Symptoms like⁵:

• Pain in the wrist or hand
• Numbness or tingling, especially in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Weakness, making it tough to grip a coffee mug or turn a doorknob

CTS is common among office workers, musicians, and anyone whose hands get a daily workout. Traditional treatments focus on reducing inflammation or, in severe cases, surgically widening the tunnel⁶. But could acupressure offer a gentler fix?

Can Acupressure Really Help CTS?

The million-dollar question: Does pressing a few points on your wrist actually ease CTS symptoms? Let’s look at what science says.

The Evidence

• A Small Study with Big Results: A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine followed 30 people with CTS who got acupressure for four weeks. Compared to a group receiving fake (sham) acupressure, they reported less pain and better hand function⁷.
• Another Promising Trial: A randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Pain Research tested 60 participants. Those receiving real acupressure saw improvements in pain, numbness, and grip strength—outpacing the placebo group⁸.
• The Bigger Picture: A systematic review in the Journal of Hand Therapy looked at 10 acupressure studies. While some showed benefits, the review flagged weak spots: small sample sizes, shaky study designs, and no long-term data⁹.

What’s Happening During Acupressure?

In TCM, CTS might signal a blockage in the energy flow around your wrist. Pressing acupoints like:

• PC-8 (Wrist Palm Point): Smack in the middle of your palm, it’s thought to soothe hand pain and numbness¹⁰.
• PC-7 (Da Ling Point): Right at the wrist crease, this spot targets where the median nerve feels the squeeze¹¹.

Western science suggests acupressure might boost blood flow, calm inflammation, or trigger the body’s natural painkillers—like endorphins¹². But here’s the catch: the evidence isn’t rock-solid yet.

The Verdict

Acupressure shows promise for CTS—some folks feel real relief—but don’t toss your wrist splint just yet. Small studies and mixed reviews mean we need bigger, better research to say it’s a surefire fix.

How to Try Acupressure for CTS

Curious to give it a go? Here are two key points often used for CTS, inspired by TCM practices:

PC-8 (Wrist Palm Point)

• Where: Center of your palm, where your middle finger lands if you bend it down.
• How: Press firmly with your thumb for 1–2 minutes. You might feel a slight ache—that’s normal.
• Why: It’s said to ease hand stiffness and tingling.

PC-7 (Da Ling Point)

• Where: On your wrist crease, between the tendons.
• How: Use your thumb to massage in small circles for 2–3 minutes.
• Why: Targets wrist pain and nerve pressure.

Pro Tip: Start gently. If it hurts too much, ease up. And if you’re unsure, a trained acupressure practitioner can guide you.

Risks: Is Acupressure Safe?

Good news—acupressure is low-risk. Most people sail through with no issues, but watch for¹³:

• Mild soreness or bruising where you pressed.
• Rare quirks like dizziness or nausea (think of it as your body adjusting to the pressure).

It’s safe for most, but check with your doctor first if you’re pregnant, have nerve damage, or other health concerns.

What’s the Cost?

Acupressure’s price tag depends on how you approach it:

• Professional Sessions: Expect $50–$100 per visit, based on where you live and the practitioner’s expertise.
• DIY at Home: Free! Or grab an acupressure mat or tool for a small one-time cost (usually $10–$30).

For budget-friendly relief, learning the basics online or from a book could save you cash.

Other Options to Explore

Not sold on acupressure? Here are some cousins in the alternative therapy family:

• Acupuncture: Needles instead of fingers—some studies hint it helps CTS, but results vary¹⁴.
• Massage Therapy: Kneading tight muscles might boost circulation and ease tension.
• Shiatsu: A Japanese twist on acupressure, focusing on energy balance.
• Reflexology: Pressing points on your hands or feet linked to your wrist.

Each has its fans, but like acupressure, solid proof for CTS is still a work in progress.

Should You Try Acupressure for CTS?

Here’s the bottom line: Acupressure might lighten the load of CTS symptoms—less pain, fewer tingles—for some people. Studies show potential, but they’re not airtight. It’s low-risk and affordable, especially if you DIY, making it a tempting add-on to your toolkit. Still, it’s not a slam-dunk replacement for proven treatments like splints or physical therapy.

What to Do Next:

• Talk to Your Doctor: Make sure it fits your health picture.
• Start Small: Try it for a week and see how your wrist feels.
• Mix and Match: Pair it with other therapies for a one-two punch.

Acupressure could be a soothing sidekick in your CTS journey—just don’t bet the farm on it until science gives a louder thumbs-up.

Trusted Source

1. https://curemycarpaltunnel.com/blog/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-its-effects/ ↩︎
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/acupressure-points ↩︎
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3523426/ ↩︎
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603 ↩︎
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4005-carpal-tunnel-syndrome ↩︎
6. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/carpal-tunnel-syndrome ↩︎
7. Tan JY, Suen LK, Wang T, Molassiotis A. Sham Acupressure Controls Used in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review and Critique. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 15;10(7):e0132989. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132989. PMID: 26177378; PMCID: PMC4503717. ↩︎
8. Hsieh LL, Kuo CH, Yen MF, Chen TH. A randomized controlled clinical trial for low back pain treated by acupressure and physical therapy. Prev Med. 2004 Jul;39(1):168-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.01.036. PMID: 15207999. ↩︎
9. Chen MC, Yang LY, Chen KM, Hsu HF. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Using Acupressure to Promote the Health of Older Adults. J Appl Gerontol. 2020 Oct;39(10):1144-1152. doi: 10.1177/0733464819870027. Epub 2019 Aug 19. PMID: 31426687. ↩︎
10. https://www.mastertungacupuncture.org/acupuncture/traditional/points/pc8 ↩︎
11. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acu.2009.0687 ↩︎
12. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/11/researchers-pinpoint-how-acupuncture-targets-inflammation/ ↩︎
13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1155/2021/8862399 ↩︎
14. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S152659001000698X ↩︎