Methods for treating carpal tunnel pain

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating conditions including chronic pelvic pain, in which there are palpable trigger points of local areas of muscle restriction and spasticity that recreate or refer pain of patients complaints upon palpation, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, pelvic floor myalgia, pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, levator ani syndrome, coccygodynia, prostatodynia, piriformis syndrome, anal sphincter pain, bowel movement pain, post bowel movement pain, ejaculatory pain, post ejaculatory pain, sitting pain, post bowel movement pain, rectal pain, tailbone pain, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary hesitancy, post urinary pain, overactive bladder, perineal pain, penile pain, vaginismus, anismus, sexual dysfunction, reduced level of ejaculate or reduced penile erection, myofascial pain in muscle tissue of a patient who has one or more trigger points in the muscle tissue, or the pain/sensitivity of pelvic floor muscle trigger points and specific areas of myofascial restriction detected upon palpation in a patient comprising administering to the one or more trigger points of the patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a calcium channel blocker, or L-arginine, or a combination of a calcium channel blocker and L-arginine, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and prodrugs thereof; the application of the topical form of the drug can be applied by the patient regularly as part of a self treatment program to heal muscle related pain and muscle related pelvic pain and each optionally together with a corticosteroid such as cortisone of hydrocortisone. The invention further provides methods for myofascial release, trigger point release, and the use of dilators with and without calcium channel blockers for pain conditions. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits and applicator devices useful in the methods of the invention.

1 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method for relieving one or more symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising nifedipine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 70 , further comprising administering a corticosteroid with the nifedipine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein the corticosteroid is cortisone or hydrocortisone, in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight. 
     
     
         72 - 101 . (canceled) 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the topical composition is applied to a muscle. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the nifedipine is applied in a dose of from 1-29 mg. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the method comprises administering a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising nifedipine in an amount of from 0.5% to 5% by weight; wherein the topical composition further comprises an excipient. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the method comprises administering a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising nifedipine in an amount of from 0.3 to 2% by weight; wherein the topical composition further comprises an excipient. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the excipient is a mucoadhesive polymer. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the excipient is a Poloxamer. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the excipient is Poloxamer 407. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the topical composition is a balm. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         117 . A method for relieving one or more symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising nifedipine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein:
 the topical pharmaceutical composition comprises nifedipine or a salt thereof in an amount of from 0.5% to 5% by weight, or in an amount of from 0.3 to 2% by weight; and   the topical pharmaceutical composition is in the form an ointment, cream or gel.   
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117 , wherein the topical pharmaceutical composition further comprises one or more of the following:
 i) an analgesic;   ii) a fragrance;   iii) an excipient;   iv) a corticosteroid; and   v) a local anesthetic.