Natural Remedies for Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)

Gayle's Bandaid Method

Posted by Andrew (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/18/2012
★★★★★

Yes, Gayle's Bandaid Method worked for me! I had severe trigger thumb (left hand) for a month. Went to an orthepedic surgeon who diagnosed it as trigger thumb and gave me a cortisone shot. That worked for about a week. Pain came back. I did not want to have another cortisone shor or surgery so I looked for a homeopathic remedy. I found, and finally decided to try, the "bandaid" method. I bought some first aid tape at my local pharmacy, wrapped my thumb and kept the tape on day and night. After 2-3 days my thumb felt much better and did not hurt, especially at night and/or while sleeping.

After 3-4 weeks of taping my trigger thumb problem is 80%-90% managable! The tape/wrap "bandaid" method worked for me! Now I only need to put the tape on if my thumb is hurting at night and, if it is, the tape gives me immediate relief! It's a miracle!

Hang From a Monkey Bar

Posted by Chellow (Miami, Fl) on 08/17/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My trigger finger has been Cured, thank be to God. I was three weeks from my scheduled operation when I started a routine of hanging from a monkey bars, if I recall right I instantly had a result the first day. One week in the rooting I cancelled the operation and two months later more or less I'm cured.

This is what the therapy that I recommend:

Hang from a monkey bar or any alternative structure that you can roll your finger around a bar that lifts you from the floor. Hang from the bar for 10 seconds and release repeat this 10 times, do this exercise daily.

Warm Water Soak, Ultrasound

Posted by Zoltan (Manitou Springs, Colorado) on 08/01/2012

Try a vibrator on palm of hand, just below the trigger finger. This is the area where surgeons operate to release tendon. I find it shakes it loose within a minute or two.

Bromelain

Posted by Ascot (Wyandotte, Michigan) on 07/20/2012

Of all the postings, this sounds not only the simplest, but the most positive, so much so that I have ordered bromelain to give it a try with the understanding that what may work for one, might not work for another.

Bromelain

Posted by Troy (Madisonville, Ky) on 07/19/2012

how r your fingers doing now? need an up date please....

Fish Oil

Posted by Dream2long (Flint, Mi, United States) on 07/15/2012
★☆☆☆☆

Bull, I take anti-inflammatories daily for arthritis and am currently dealing with trigger finger on the pointer & middle fingers of both hands. I take Cod/Borage/Flax oil supplement 2x daily for years, take a vitamin B complex every other day and am in horrible pain right now at age 49. I have already had Carpal Tunnel surgeries on both hands years ago, that was a "Godsend" and trigger thumb release years ago on the right hand. Started B6 for left trigger thumb which helped immenensly, but the switched to B complex & it is not helping with the fingers at all. Tried Tumeric and got a nice two weeks of constant constipation and nice hemmorioids for it. BTW, Tumeric is a great anti-diarrhea med. Use it now instead of Immodium in our house. I have had cortisone epidural injections that helped Sciatica in both legs for 100% relief, yet it never helped my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Think I'll try the Cortisone for the trigger fingers. I hardly eat Citrus and recently discovered that drinking unsweetened Ice Tea with real lemon gives me nighttime leg cramps, I've been expermenting occasionally with limited exposure to Iced Tea w/without lemon and am not having leg cramps. I beileve it may be the lemon? Tired of my body being out of whack, need a Chemical Exorcist!!

Bromelain

Posted by Miriam Fitchett (Las Vegas, Nv) on 07/08/2012
★★★★★

I had trigger finger in both thumbs for a year. Agony!! I started taking bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapples, (to prevent swelling) for an upcoming surgery last November. The dose was 3 times a day between meals for 3 weeks. After taking bromelian for 3 weeks my trigger fingers were cured completely! I take bromelain once a day now (preventative). To date, trigger finger(s) has not reoccured. Hope this helps!

Fish Oil, Ball Exercise

Posted by Dora (Houston, Texas) on 07/05/2012
★★★★★

Months ago had Trigger Finger problem in my right thumb. I followed Ted's remedies from Earth Clinic and other remedies from the same website. I really improved when I started taking Fish oil and sometimes Cod liver oil, as well as eating more salmon, fish, fruits, and vegetables, and tried not to do much work with that hand with the injured thumb. Also, the exercises with a small ball that I got at the Academy store did help me. The ball is similar to the ones used to release stress. My thumb is a 90% better since the problem started. Now can move it very well..

I do not recommend surgery, found out that surgery is not the best option. I encourage you to be patient.

I thank God for you all who shared the information on the Trigger finger at Earth Clinic.

Ice

Posted by Susan (Greenfield, Ma, Usa) on 06/12/2012
★★★★★

I cured a middle finger trigger by limiting movement of the digit, icing for 10 - 15 minutes several times a day and doing deep massage of the muscles in the forearm that work the fingers. When I focused on the muscles for the middle finger they were very tight and painful, perhaps from spasm. I broke the spasm with pressure and massaged the muscle further. In a month or two pain, swelling and locking were gone in this instance. I am careful now to use a padded bicycling glove to protect the tendons in the palm when I garden, rake and do repairs at my house. I am careful to not make repetitive grips that tax the fingers.

Fish Oil

Posted by Revsheryl (Silver Spring, Md) on 04/28/2012

I am taking fish oil and BioFreeze it helps. I am a knitter. Slowing my speed -less physical and mental stress adds relief. Sheryl

Over the Counter

Posted by Ava (Naples) on 04/23/2012
★★★★★

Trigger fingers and thumb is caused by inflammation in the joint. Simply take one Anti-inflammatory pill every day. I took Ibuprofen, one a day. In about two weeks or less it will be gone. I had a trigger finger in the right hand and trigger thumb on the left... now totally gone.

Fish Oil

Posted by Dora (Houston, Texas USA) on 02/27/2012
★★★★★

The "Trigger Finger" condition that I had back in October 2011, has improved after increased my fish oil intake. Also, practice with a small soft ball to move my finger again. Thank you, thank you to ted's remedies again.

God bless you.

Turmeric

Posted by Teresa (Killen, Al) on 02/07/2012

How much turmeric?

Gayle's Bandaid Method

Posted by Lisa (New York, New York Usa) on 02/04/2012
★★★☆☆

Yes I use tape and it was getting better now its hurting again I am trying b-6, red river clay, arnica, traumeel, mend-me-shop home ultrasound, was feeling better but I had vitamin c, chocolate and caffeine today and now it hurts again. I am trying alkalyzing drops and I must lower the acid.

Just purchased the book Balancing Body Chemistry about over acid how this creates all disease. Great book. Thing is vit c is very important. I take Ester c where am I going to get that from now if not from this? Also I love dark chocolate. Green tea keeps me up at night even if I have it in morning.. Looks like acid foods cause the flare up. I bicycle a lot and grip the handle bar. Hate trigger thumb but refuse to go for the cortisone shot. It has helped people in one shot but I am afraid to weaken the tendons there. Also taking type 1 collagen, msm thought I bought it the other day for good but here it is again.

I like the hot water idea, the tape, the vitamin b6, garlic capsules and natural antiinfalammotory. When is this going to end? if it is diet related, looks like I am giving up so many foods nothing left to eat of things that I love that are also good for you such as some dk choco, caffeine is also beneficial in some levels, tomoto sauce is lycopene have to give all this up? What fun is there in eating now?? As it is I have given up most offending fattening foods but love certain things. Need to be food nun? once and for all what the heck is this trigger thumb and lets be rid of it!! I think I will try the acupuncture.

Acupuncture

Posted by Shirley44 (Powell River, Bc, Canada) on 02/01/2012
★★★★★

I have had trigger finger in my ring finger of my right hand for a few months. I had an appointment with a doctor for a cortisone shot. I am deathly afraid of cortisone so thought I'd try acupuncture before my appointment. No results the first 2 times but the 3rd time he put the needle into the back of my finger where the hardening was and it is now 90% better. He figures about 6 sessions. I am so pleased.

Avoid Citrus

Posted by Oyakra (Mays Landing, Nj) on 01/14/2012

I also had carpal tunnel release 3 mos. ago and I have developed trigger finger in multiple fingers on both hands. The problem seems to be predominately in my thumbs and varies in severity in my ring and pointer fingers. This is the worst in the morning upon waking, to the point of very limited use of my hands. I had lived with carpal tunnel for 18 years before getting the surgery which helped with the major nerve burning and vascular restriction. It's frustrating to now have a new problem arise. I'm going to try Ted's recommendations and follow up soon. Thanks, it helps to know I'm not alone.

Aloe Vera

Posted by Dora (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 10/13/2011
★★★★★

I want to thank Ted for the advice on how to cure Trigger finger. Also liked to share that I put Aloe vera on my finger and it is helping with inflammation of the finger.

Thank you very much to you all who shared such of important information. God bless you. Dora

Gayle's Bandaid Method

Posted by Katie (San Clemente, California) on 09/08/2011
★★★★★

I have been doing this for about 1 week and my finger feel much better. I have been using 2 inch blue tape and only change it a few times a day due to water.

General Feedback

Posted by Carla (Acworth, Ga) on 09/02/2011

Sue,

I had a ganglion cyst on my right wrist for several months- it was right in the joint and you could only see it when my wrist was bent- very painful. The doctor drained it twice and it always came back- but each time he mentioned hitting it with a book. The last time it came back I had someone us a Very large hard cover book to smack it. It has been about 5 years and it has not come back yet.

Just be careful with the joint!

General Feedback

Posted by Lily (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 08/17/2011

Hi Sue, traditionally you hit the ganglion cyst with a huge book and it bursts. (the bible was the book of choice). I have done this and it goes down and sometimes comes back up so you just repeat the "cure", until it stays away. Hope this helps. Lily.

General Feedback

Posted by Sue (Hillsboro, Mo) on 08/17/2011

Hi everyone. Has anyone had a ganglion cyst or a hard "knot" in the hand prior to the trigger finger? If so what can be done nonsurgically for the gangion? My husband is having this problem and so does his father. The doctor just wants to keep doing surgery on my father-in-law. Thanks!

Acupuncture

Posted by Deborah (Scottsdale, Az) on 08/14/2011

Oh boy.... If YOU have to tell your doctor how to do this, I would change doctors!

Vitamin B6

Posted by Artsiecl (Waynesboro, Ga, Burke) on 07/23/2011
★★★★★

I am having trouble with a trigger thumb and have been studying lots of things. I over-use my thumb (right one) sewing thru real thick fabric and many layers..... Also paint kid's faces, (sometimes 70 a day)..... I also had been slack in taking my vitamins and minerals..... I also have thyroid problems. Considering all of this, I am trying to do the nutritional thing to cure this. I just read Dr. Jonathan Wright's newsletter where he said that another Dr. recommended 50 milligrams of B6 3 times a day and give it long enough and it will go away..... Probably. I am going to do this with all of the other B vitamins and iodine and lots of minerals.......

I know nutrition helps everything. Also compression helps and resting the sheaths and ligaments in the thumb......

Hope this helps.

Gayle's Bandaid Method

Posted by Nancy (Mc Kenzie Bridge, Or) on 05/18/2011
★★★★★

I agree with Gayle's bandaid method. I wore a splint on my finger for a long time to keep it from bending and it has cured my trigger finger in the past. When I have not been able to wear it though because it got in the way, I noticed a significant increase in the swelling and pain when my finger was able to bend. Gayle's idea of a bandaid is much better than a splint because it is a lot less cumbersome and can virtually be worn at all times.

Avoid Citrus

Posted by Uchiki (Koloa, Hi, Usa) on 01/27/2011

My trigger thumb only occurs at night when I am sleeping. I recently had carpal tunnel release (3 mos. Ago) after 25 years of living with the disease. The surgeon said I had a very narrow sheath. He now says that is most likely the reason for the trigger thumb. Why now? By the way I have been eating lots of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit in the last couple of months. Do I continue to drink lemon water to alkalize?

Colloidal Silver

Posted by Jan (Louisville, Colorado) on 12/22/2010
★★★★☆

I have had my second bout with trigger thumb. The first time I had a cortisone shot which after two weeks resolved the problem. My doctor didn't seem to think it would work and thought that I would probably have to have surgery to resolve it, but I was also taking MSM which I think helped tremendously. However, this second time around, the MSM has not worked. I really didn't want another cortisone treatment and have tried both exercises and other herbal treatments without success. Two weeks ago, I got an intestinal virus which I took colloidal silver for and noticed that my thumb was doing better, but I thought that it was finally starting to go away on it's own until yesterday morning. I woke up in a lot of pain, my thumb was swollen and red and hot to the touch. That's when I realized that it was an infection of some sort. Since I hadn't cut my thumb I was pretty sure that the infection was not bacterial, and had a strong suspicion that it was a yeast infection. Which explains why it had reoccured and why some people are having success with garlic as it has antifungul properties.

So I started taking colloidal silver, a tablespoon every few hours, letting it sit under my tongue as long as possible for quicker absorption. I also rubbed horipito extract on the swollen area before going to bed and kept a hotpack on it through the night. This morning, the swelling and redness, and most of the pain had subsided. Through the last two days, I have also rubbed in an arnica cream. By this evening, I was able to bend my thumb without a lot of pain or snapping, and I haven't been able to do this for the last six weeks. I plan on continuing the same treatment using the horipito and silver in the same amounts for at least the next two to three days. Then I will reduce the amount of colloidal silver to a tablespoon in the morning and one in the evening until I am absolutely sure that the infection is gone. In all honesty, I am absolutely amazed how quickly this is working for me.

General Feedback

Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 10/05/2010

Pamela:

Have you tried anything from this site's Arthritis section here?:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/arthritis.html

Not mentioned under that section is Niacinamide, the amide form of Vitamin B3. (I'm assuming it's arthritis you have, since trigger finger is almost never accompanied by many swollen painful knuckle joints! )

Once again, to one of Dr. Pauling's legacy sites:
http://www.orthomolecular.org/

Click on "Search" in the molecule picture there. Type in "Niacinamide Kaufman arthritis" into the search query box.

This first one looks to be the best info and detail:
The Pioneering Work of William Kaufman: Arthritis and ADHD
http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2003/pdf/2003-v18n01-p029.pdf

From Page 3:
"The (more frequent) 250 mg dose of niacinamide is 40 to 50% more effective in the treatment of arthritis than the (less frequent) 500 mg. Dose. In my 1955 paper (The use of vitamin therapy to reverse certain concomitants of aging. J Amer Geriatric Soc. 3:927-936) I noted that niacinamide (alone or combined with other vitamins) in a thousand patient-years of use has caused no adverse side effects. Please keep in mind niacinamide is a systemic therapeutic agent. It measurably improves joint mobility, muscle strength, decreases fatiguability. It increases maximal muscle working capacity, reduces or completely eliminates arthritic joint pain. Some joints are so injured by the arthritic process that no amount of niacinamide therapy will cause improvement in joint mobility, ...

Interesting tidbit here:
http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1997/articles/1997-v12n04-p195.shtml

Kaufmann was a very careful observer and showed clearly the significant therapeutic value of niacinamide. But 1949 was not the right year for such reports, for the wonder drug, cortisone, had just been found to rapidly relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Dr. Hench, who had done the basic work, received a Nobel prize and Merck and Company held the patents. There was a tremendous display of publicity about these wonder drugs and they became the standard for all the arthritides. The fact that cortisones do not help very much was discovered later in England when they were compared with aspirin in the first ever double blind experiments. Aspirin proved equally as effective. Also cortisone and ACTH made many patients psychotic. Dr. Kaufman's 1949 published book 'The Common Form of Joint Dysfunction' is even now still available in places on the net.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/JOM1.html

DOSAGE:Niacinamide is water soluble and has a half-life of 90 minutes I. E. The amount left unmetabolized in the body drops in half every 90 minutes. This explains the divided doses. That daily dosage is divided into equal doses for ingestion every 2-3 waking hours waking.

DOSAGE:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/kaufman5.html

Usually adequate in moderate joint dysfunction was the continuous ingestion of 150 mg niacinamide administered every 3 hours for 6 daily doses (900 mg/24 hours). In extremely severe and severe grades of joint dysfunction, 100-150 mg niacinamide were prescribed every hour (1500-2250 mg/24 hours), every hour and a half (1110-1650 mg./24 hours), or every two hours (800-1200 mg/24 hours), depending on the severity of the joint dysfunction, the more frequent schedule being used in more severe cases (97) (51). It has been found in the treatment of joint dysfunction that the manner in which the daily dosage of niacinamide is divided has an important bearing on the the therapeutic results achieved; e. G. , 300 mg niacinamide given three times daily (900 mg/24 hours) is inferior in its therapeutic action to 150 mg niacinamide administered every 3 hours for 6 daily doses (900 mg/24 hours).

General Feedback

Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 10/04/2010

Hi Pam, If I were you I would research Turmeric and Boron. I can't explain why, or how they work, but there are some excellent articles on here re Turmeric, and on the web re Boron. They are both working for me. I used to wake in the morning feeling like someone had slammed my hand in a door... It is truly amazing to awaken to no pain in my hands. I literally lay in bed first thing in the morning just making fists in disbelief - it is still shocking. I take 1/4 tsp of turmeric a day in my tea with VCO (virgin coconut oil) and one 3mg boron (chelated - dont know if that matters or not) a day. I hope you find your answer! Carly

General Feedback

Posted by Pamela (Marlborough, Connecticut) on 10/04/2010

Also I have been having trouble with my knuckles being swollen for months, when to a doctor who gave me to cortisone shots in one hand and said I had trigger finger. I don't have any clicking in any fingers so I think he is wrong and the shots only helped for a week, which also cost 600.00 for the visit. I am desperate for help. I have been taking pain pills for weeks that only help so much. Thanks for any help Pam

Acupuncture

Posted by Joyce (Mystic, Ct.) on 06/21/2010

hi, i am receiving acupuncture treatments for my "trigger thumb." however, this is a new thing for my practitioner. do you happen to know the exact points used so i can tell her. thank you!

Acupuncture

Posted by Redstone (Weston, Ma) on 05/16/2010
★★★★★

I had trigger thumb three times, with severe pain; and was unable to grip anything with the hand. I had it in my right and left hands, about a year apart. Both times I wound up begging the doctor for a cortisone shot. The cortisone worked and I got relief with one shot.

When I got it again last year, I decided to try acupuncture. It took about 6-8 sessions but it healed and it hasn't come back. I am now in grad school for a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Try it.

There may be a Community Acupuncture practice in your area - and the cost is very reasonable - usually a sliding scale. Give it some time. It's not a magic bullet, and you may need a number of sessions to get relief. Avoid surgery - almost NEVER the answer in my opinion. Good luck.

Avoid Citrus

Posted by Judie (Utica, Mi) on 02/22/2010
★★★★★

I have been having a problem this winter from Trigger finger & pain. I wondered one day if it was the orange I was having each evening to try & stay out of junk food. Your post confimred I am not the only one. I never could take Vit.C either until I came across a type that is made from Sago palm. I used to work in a health food store & many people have the same sensitivity as you & I. Thanks again

Warm Water Soak, Ultrasound

Posted by Wyn2351 (Bangkok, Thailand) on 11/24/2009

Physical Therapy cured by trigger finger. Right now, I have trigger finger (TF) too. Doctor prescribed muscle pain reliever but didn't seem to help so I requested injection which lessened the pain but the clicking is still there. Although my first TF which was in my right middle finger was successfully operated on, I am afraid to do it again I have a new and new graduate doctor (former doctor has become a hospital director) and I'm not sure of his expertise. So, I am doing home remedy (plus doctor prescribed muscle pain reliever. I did this before and I was successful then I got this new TF. Twice a day, put affected hand in warm water for 15 minutes. I use warm water bag. 10 minutes ultrasound (US) (home model used for facial massage) on the palm and sore finger. Just move the US around the palm and back hand. Then follow that with gentle finger exercise with a soft ball or just keep moving fingers--bend every joint or whole finger backward and forward. It hurts at first but pain will lessen as you get used to it and that I think will eliminate the trigger finger. Hope this helps.