Stenosing tensynovitis, or what is commonly called trigger finger, is a medical condition where a finger or a thumb gets stuck when bent. With a sudden snap, the finger might straighten or you might have to put force. It can be very excruciating, but with these home remedies for trigger finger, you will be able to deal with the condition better.
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Since when we straighten a finger there is a pop-like sound, the same sound that we get when a gun is shot, this medical condition is called ‘trigger’ finger.
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Causes of trigger finger
Trigger finger is caused by inflammation which makes the sheath around the tendons of our fingers narrow. As a result, the tendon cannot smoothly glide through the sheath when you unbend your finger.
Symptoms of trigger finger
The earliest symptoms of trigger finger that you will notice if you are suffering from it, is the lingering soreness or feeling of a lump in the base of the finger that is affected. You might hear a snappy noise when you try to move your finger. You will also feel a stiffness in the distressed finger.
Trigger finger usually occurs in the thumb or the ring or middle finger. Also, it is more frequent in women than men. People who are diabetic and/or have arthritis, are more prone to trigger finger.
If you are involved mostly in a work that needs you to continuously grip on to something, then there is a high possibility that you will develop trigger finger.
Trigger finger is severely uncomfortable. In some cases, it can be extremely painful too, limiting any movement on the finger and making straightening it completely impossible.
To help you with the trouble here we are with the easy yet super effective home remedies.
Home remedies for trigger finger
Here are the top 10 natural remedies you should try to deal with trigger finger.
1. Give it ample rest
Yes, this is definitely topping our list of natural remedies. The trigger finger needs to rest well to get better. You should not use it for at least another 4 weeks, if you don’t want your situation to worsen.
A key element in curing the affected tendon, giving proper rest will reduce the tenderness as well as the inflammation. It will also quicken the curing time.
If you use the affected finger before time or put too much pressure on it, then you are sure to worsen the suffering and the soreness.
So rest your finger as much as you can. Try to dodge activities that involve recurring gripping or grasping. Also avoid continued use of hand-held machinery that vibrates.
2. Use a splint
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Keep the trigger finger splinted for as long as you can until your discomfort and pain subsides. This is necessary because the splint will help keep the finger in a drawn out position. It will also prevent any movement, which as we said before is the most important cure.
Also the splint provides your finger rest, preventing it from curling into a fist when you sleep. That can be really painful.
According to a study published recently in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, splinting can help you reduce the duration as well as severity of the trigger finger condition more effectively.
So wear a splint for the affected finger for about 7 weeks or as long as the pain stays.
A word of caution: When you wear the splint, you need to make sure it is not too tight. If the splint is extremely tight, then it will be difficult for blood to circulate through the affected area, and this will increase the numbness in the finger.
3. Try cold compress
Trying cold compress can help you with your trigger finger, but you need to do it multiple times a day.
Cold compress is beneficial because it provides a numb sensation in the nerve ending, which in turn, reduces the pain as well as the swelling.
In a clean, soft and thin towel, pack a few ice cubes. Make secure they are tied in securely. Put the pack on the affected finger. Let it on for 5 minutes and take a minute-long break. Again repeat. You need to do this 2 to 3 times.
Alternatively, you may use a cold spoon or frozen veggies in place of ice cubes.
A word of caution: Make sure you do not apply the ice cubes directly on the affected finger without the towel as it can cause a frostbite.
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4. Try the warm water therapy
Yes, cold compress will cure you, but soaking
While a cold compress is effective, soaking the affected finger in warm water also can play a part in the healing process by relaxing the tendons and muscles.
A warm water soak also increases blood flow, helps reduce pain and allows you to move the finger more easily.
In a bowl take some warm water. To this add some Epsom salt (This is optional). Now soak your trigger finger in the water for about 5 minutes. You should do this at least 5 times a day for best results.
A word of caution: Before soaking your finger, make sure you check the temperature. Too hot can do more harm and can even burn your skin.
5. Invest time in some stretching
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To maintain the mobility of your affected finger, you need to do some gentle exercises. This is necessary to bring your finger back into action or the action back into your finger! 😉
First, spread the fingers out. Now draw them into a fist. You should repeat this 8 times initially and then you can slowly extend the time to 15 minutes. You must do the exercises three time through the day.
For the next exercise, you will need a squeeze ball. Hold the ball and squeeze it for 10 seconds Now release. Again squeeze for 10 seconds and release. You will have to do this for about 10 minutes, 6 to 8 times a day.
The last exercise involves a rubber band. Wrap in around the thumb and your fingers. Now tightly close your fingers into a fist and release. Do this for 10 times. You will have to do this several times a day.
6. Massage the affected finger
Massage is a very good way to heal trigger finger. The massage, however, should be gentle. It helps circulate blood better. It also relaxes your muscles.
Gentle relaxing massages reduce swelling in the trigger finger and also treat the stiffness.
In the microwave heat some olive oil. If olive oil is not an option, then try sesame or coconut oil. Once the oil is tolerably warm, dab the oil on your trigger finger. Now gently massage the affected area for about 5 minutes. You should repeat this 3 times a day for best results.
As we mentioned before, be very careful when you massage the affected finger. If you put extra pressure, then it might worsen the situation. You might want to take help from a massage therapist if you are unsure.
7. Aloe vera
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The anti-inflammatory qualities of aloe vera make it a great remedy when it comes to trigger finger. It not only cures inflammation, but also effectively copes with the stiffness and soreness that are symptoms of trigger finger.
Also the amino acids as well as vitamins in aloe vera make it useful in repairing the damaged tendons of your affected finger.
From a leaf of aloe vera, extract aloe vera gel. Now gently massage the gel on the finger that is affected. You should do this at least 3 times a day.
You might even try aloe vera in the form of supplements. But before that do consult a doctor for the correct dosage.
8. Use turmeric for relief
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Turmeric is an age-old remedy for trigger finger. Turmeric contains curcumin which is an anti-inflammatory agent. This agent helps reduce pain and swelling.
Turmeric improves the circulation of blood which is necessary to cure the finger.
Bring one and half cup of milk to boil. To this, add a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Let the mix simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove the milk from the oven and add some natural honey to taste. You should drink this milk two times a day for as long as it takes your trigger finger to cure.
You may even take curcumin supplements, but you must consult your doctor for the right dosage.
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Additional tips for triggered finger
- You may have to take meds like ibuprofen to help cope with the pain of trigger finger.
- You may even have to take arnica or capsaicin creams to deal with both the pain as well as the swelling.
- You might want to drink 3 cups of ginger tea, as ginger helps with inflammation.
- You need to eat veggies and foods that are rich in vitamin B6. Try liver, raw garlic, fish, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds.
That’s a wrap on home remedies for trigger finger.
Was this guide useful? Let us know in the comment section below.
See you again tomorrow!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
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