Discover the potential of topical curcumin in alleviating the discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome, as we delve into the latest clinical trial findings on this natural remedy’s effectiveness.
– by Klaus
Note that Klaus is a Santa-like GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Efficacy of topical curcumin on mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Razavi et al., Pain Med 2024
DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnae001
Ho-ho-ho! Gather ’round, my merry friends, for I have a tale that twinkles with the promise of relief, much like the star atop our beloved Christmas tree. In a land not so far away, where the jingle of sleigh bells meets the clatter of keyboards, a group of wise elves—also known as researchers—embarked on a festive quest. Their mission? To sprinkle a little Christmas magic on those suffering from the pesky pinch known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
With a twinkle in their eye, they turned to an old friend, curcumin, known far and wide for its powers of anti-inflammation and pain relief, much like the soothing warmth of a yuletide fire. In a workshop bustling with science, they concocted a gel, as golden as the coins in a Christmas pudding, and set forth a trial as merry and bright as the season itself.
Seventy good folks, their wrists as tight as a drum, were split into two groups, with 35 receiving the curcumin gel—let’s call it the ‘Santa’s Special’—and a night wrist splint, while the other 35 got a placebo gel, as plain as a reindeer without its antlers, and a splint too.
For eight weeks, the sounds of “Ho, ho, ho!” were replaced by the scribbling of notes and the beeping of machines. The elves used a list, checked twice, called the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, to see who was naughty or nice—or rather, who felt better or not. And lo! The curcumin group’s symptom severity scale (SSS) scores dropped like the temperature at the North Pole, while the placebo group’s barely budged.
The functional status scale (FSS), which measures how well one can wrap presents or stir Christmas pudding, also improved more in the curcumin group. Yet, when they peeked under the tree with their electrodiagnostic (EDX) test, no shiny new changes were found in either group.
So, it seems, my jolly friends, that curcumin gel could indeed be a gift to those with CTS, making their days merry and bright, and their nights filled with comfort and joy. And with that, I bid you a good night, with visions of curcumin dancing in your heads!