The Effects of Acupotomy Therapy on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Report of 4 Cases

Abstract

The aim of this report was to show the effects of acupotomy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Four patients were treated with acupotomy twice. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Tinel`s sign, Phalen`s test, Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire (BCTQ), muscular strength test, and a cross-sectional area of median nerve was measured using ultrasound before and after treatment. In all 4 cases, the VAS score, BCTQ score and cross-sectional area of median nerve, all decreased and muscular strength test score increased. Tinel`s sign and the Phalen`s test changed from a positive to a negative in most cases. This report shows that acupotomy is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Further larger are needed to fully evaluate the beneficial effects of this treatment.

Keywords

• acupotomy
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire