Feeling triggered?  Acupuncture can solve your Trigger Finger

If you’ve ever had your finger get stuck in a bent position and then snap straight you’ve experienced first hand, the annoying and painful condition known as Trigger finger.  

What is Trigger Finger?

When inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon of an affected finger it can result in the locking of that finger in a permanent or semi-permanently bent position.  Repetitive gripping actions through work or hobbies are often the culprit and this condition is seen more often in women or those with diabetes.

Symptoms

• Finger stiffness, especially first thing in the morning

• Popping or clicking with movement

• Tenderness or nodules in the palm at the base of the finger

• Finger catching or locking in bent position

• Finger locked in bent position and unable to straighten

Western Treatment

Your MD may recommend NSAIDs, splints, steroid injections or surgery.  All of which can further complicate the issue.   

Get Trigger Happy with Acupuncture

Acupuncture works surprisingly well for trigger finger, in fact, I’ve helped dozens of patients reduce or even resolve their issue completely.  By needling points around the affected area we are able to gently release the constriction or stagnation that’s blocking the smooth motion of the tendon.  Additionally, by injecting homeopathic Traumeel into the affected area, we can reduce inflammation and pain while promoting healing.  Moxibustion, a form of herbal heat therapy can be applied to the hand and finger as well to help increase blood flow and warm away arthritis. 

Five steps you can take right now to reduce your trigger finger:

1. Schedule an Acupuncture treatment

2. Start taking vitamin B6. B6 Pyridoxine has been shown in studies to significantly reduce trigger finger in many adults, especially those with swollen hands. Take the P-5-P version of B6 to avoid toxicity at 25-50 mgs daily.

3. Take magnesium: magnesium not only amplifies the effects of B6, but also encourages muscle relaxation and calms the nervous system.

4. Try some stretches; check out a few here.

5. Self massage the palm and any nodules along the finger joint.

Acupuncture For Labor induction and more.

My intro to Acupuncture for labor induction began in the spare room of my little adobe casita in Canoncito, Santa Fe, NM on September 19th 2004.  I remember the exact date because it was the day before my first daughter; Willow was born. A year into my Masters program in Acupuncture school,  I was both the patient and the Acupuncturist and this initial foray into Acupuncture induction was a complete success!

This success soon led to a cascade of induction requests from my many pregnant friends and evolved into what would later become my specialty after graduating from school 3 years later.  Whole Women Health, my first practice was born and I began working closely with several of the town’s most trusted midwives, offering my services to their pre and post partum clients.  Traveling throughout Santa Fe and the neighboring pueblos, I’d administer Acupuncture inductions or help to turn breech babies in people’s living rooms and attend the occasional homebirth to help with a stalled out labor or pain management.  Eventually, the local OB’s caught wind of these treatments and began referring their mom’s to be into my care and I began making hospital calls to the maternity ward as well. 14 years later, I’m grateful for the many open-minded and caring OB’s, nurse and lay midwives in Durango for continually entrusting me with the care of their clients and love this aspect of my practice.

What Acupuncture treats during pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has been helping women through their childbearing years for over 5,000 years.  Some of the most common complaints I see during pregnancy are:

• Breech babies

• Induction (for post-term mamas, those with medical issues who need to give birth soon or those whose water has broken with no signs of labor)

• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure)

• Low back pain (or any kind of discomfort)

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Preparing the body for optimal labor (once weekly sessions beginning at 34-36 weeks)

What Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can treat post-partum

Acupuncture can help speed up recovery after childbirth, adjust hormonal changes, and reduce the stress of adjusting to parenthood.  I know getting out with a new baby can be difficult and always encourage my new mama patients to bring their babies to their appointments.  I’m happy to accommodate new moms in Durango and the Four Corners and help to entertain their babies while they rest.

• Lactation issues (difficulty, insufficient production, mastitis, irritation ect….

• Postpartum depression or anxiety

• Insomnia and fatigue

• Sore back, shoulders and neck (courtesy of awkward nursing positions and lugging heavy car seats around).

• Hormone balancing

Postpartum tips from the Ancient Chinese

Stay warm, in Chinese Medical theory, we believe that the reproductive system is especially susceptible to cold invasion after childbirth.  Therefore, it’s recommended that you avoid, ice, ice cream, too many raw vegetables and dips in cold water. Instead, eat plenty of soups like bone broth, eggs and steamed or cooked veggies. This Article gives more Check out this article for more tips on recovering faster by improving digestion from the Chinese Medicine perspective: https://www.thetot.com/mama/health-and-wellbeing/postpartum-recovery-using-chinese-medicine-improving-digestion/