Researchers in Taiwan have found acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome is as effective as steroids in mild to moderate cases.
Seventy-seven patients were randomly assigned to receive either prednisolone for four weeks (20mg daily for two weeks then 10mg daily for two weeks), or acupuncture delivered in eight sessions over four weeks. Both groups showed considerable improvement, with no statistically significant difference between the two, but at week four, the acupuncture group showed a significant decrease in night time waking.
(Acupuncture in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Pain, May 2009.)