Carpel tunnel pain is caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist to the hand. The nerve controls the small muscles to the thumb and provides sensation to the thumb, the index and middle fingers and half of the ring finger. Compression of the nerve causes pain in the distribution of the nerve. This usually occurs in the early hours of the morning, causing sufferers to wake in pain. Wasting of the small muscles of the thumb eventually occur if nerve compression is prolonged. This is associated with loss of fine control of movements involving the thumb.

Median nerve compression may be precipitated by inflammation of the wrist (carpel) joints or by inflammation of tendon(s) or tendon sheath(s) overlying the wrist bones. It may also be accentuated by obesity or thyroid disease.

Carpel tunnel pain responds to acupuncture therapy, but predisposing causes need to be addressed. Weight-control, treatment of any underlying problem e.g. tendon and joint inflammation and thyroid disorders, and the modulation of activity and exercise, are all important in the management of this condition.