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How to Use a Book to Get Rid of a Ganglion Cyst

| Modified on Jan 27, 2024
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An effective home treatment for ganglion cysts is, "The Book Method." This method sounds painful and perhaps a bit hasty. But some who suffer from ganglion cysts choose this method of treating ganglion cysts because it is so easily available and brings a resolution to the problem swiftly!

How Do I Get Rid of a Ganglion Cyst with a Book?

As the name implies, you simply hit the ganglion cyst with a book. While some describe the method as smashing or whacking, it may not even take quite the force these words would imply.

  1. First, find a hardback book that you can easily handle with one hand.
  2. Tap the cyst a couple of times lightly on the cyst. This will give you courage to increase the force you use.
  3. Hit the cyst with more force once or twice.
  4. Increase force if needed until the cyst is gone or you no longer feel comfortable doing so.
  5. Apply ice to the site of the cyst for 10 minutes.
  6. Share your story with us at Earth Clinic! Did it work for you as well as for our readers?

Continue reading to see how this method worked for our contributors.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Posted by Homeschool Mom (Minneapolis, MN) on 08/17/2021
 ★★★★★

I have had a ganglion cyst a bit larger than a lentil right in the bend/crease where my ring finger meets my palm. I believe that it was caused when I wore a ring while paddling a kayak vigorously that had a paddle that wasn't properly round so the ring pressed into my skin more than I have ever experienced. The cyst has been around for about a month and I've had to remove my ring during that time, hoping for healing.

I decided to try the book method, but I was too chicken to tap and work my way up to more force. I grabbed a small hardcover book with binding about 3/4" wide and gave a firm thump right on the cyst. I thumped hard enough to kill a wasp, but not hard enough to obliterate it into a pancake. The cyst felt slightly less hard and the surrounding area was ever so slightly sore. I grabbed an ice pack and iced it for 10 minutes and the cyst is completely gone. No pain, and now I can move that finger without pain, either!

I'll give it a week to heal completely before putting my beloved ring back onto that finger, but I am so grateful for this solution.

Replied by Lynn
(CA)
10/12/2022

Several medical journals state this: "Don't strike your cyst with a heavy object. An old folk remedy for a ganglion cyst included thumping the cyst with a heavy object such as a book. Not only can this treatment injure the areas near the cyst, but also it can lead to infection and cyst recurrence."

Also, according to a medical doctor specifically, there's a strong chance of internal bleeding and scar tissue. This is no different than slamming your hand in a door while you have poison ivy blisters or sun poisoning blisters. I've had feminine cysts due to a condition I have, which behave similar to ganglion cysts. Warm compresses, NSAIDs, and complimentary remedies using anti-inflammatory herbs and spices work together to get rid of fluid filled cysts. It takes longer, but it's more healthy. If you're that desperate to get rid of it, get the doctor to drain it. If it comes back, they can discover why. You could be frequently injuring yourself through drain.

The Book Method
Posted by Dockman (Benson, Az) on 04/29/2018
 ★★★★★

Researched all methods and decided to try the book method. I used a heavy rock coaster used to place glasses on. I gave it a firm direct hit. Not to hard! And it's now gone. I couldnt believe it! Now I'll be waiting to see if it comes back.

Replied by Presouz
(Sunny Ca)
02/17/2023
★★★★★

Years ago, I did get one and ended up doing the book method. I don't remember exactly how hard I hit it but I think it was hard enough and then I just use my thumb on the opposite hand and press down on it, so it would continue to drain after a couple of days of pressing down whenever I could it was gone thank you 🙏 Jesus! But in the 90s, I got a Barclays cyst on the back of my knee. Oh my god that took years. It finally started draining down the back of my leg and I wasn't paying for over two years.

The Book Method
Posted by Michaela (Oberösterreich, Austria) on 04/08/2018
 ★★★★★

One hit and it was gone ;-)

I've had a ganglion cyst on my left wrist for about 8 weeks. I tried it all, black tee tee-bags, Echinacea creme, Echinacea tea, Frankincense oil, wrist bandage, nothing seemed to do anything and I started looking into the needle and the book solution. But during my research I found out that the success rate is really low on the needle syringe thing (13%) - very likely coming back, but the book version nearly 50% so I decided to give this a try, as it seems less invasive and less painful.

At some point I found this page which was very helpful, then I looked through youtube videos from people who have tried it. I even found a scientific study working through the videos - "Blunt Force may be an effective treatment for ganglion cysts"(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4916095/) - then I was convinced it was the best solution.

Put my left leg up the bench like in some videos and put the hand on my knee, bent slightly so my small, but hard ganglion cyst showed more. Someone else gave it a stronger hit and it was gone :-) . It barely hurt, put some ice on it for 10 min, after it didn't hurt at all. I can still feel something tiny remaining on my wrist, but it doesn't pop out, so I will give it some time to completely feel like my other wrist.

The Book Method
Posted by Bren (Ripon, Ca) on 02/23/2018
 ★★★★★

I had a "Bible Bump" on my pinky that was quite painful. It went away on its own only to return. I tried the "Bible" method - it came back once after a period of time, so I gave it another go. That was about 3 years ago - has not yet returned. FYI - I tried this because an orthopedic surgeon recommended it to me (I'm an orthopedic nurse).

The Book Method
Posted by Spring (Cowlitz County, Wa) on 11/13/2017
 ★★★★★

Cyst on the inside of my wrist made even small movements painful. Unable (or unwilling) to restrict mobility, it seemed to be getting worse. After reading about the book method, I grabbed the closest thing within reach, a stick of hardwood (I was working in my shop), and gave it a whack. Hurt for a minute, then went down. Even if it comes back, I would gladly use this method every day to avoid pain or medical intervention.

The Book Method
Posted by Matt (Denver, Colorado) on 10/01/2017
 ★★★★★

Worked for me. I had a small cyst on the top of my wrist. Took a bit to build up the courage, but sounded so much better than surgery and it was. Seemed to help by building up to the final thumping with some lighter taps to maybe loosen things up and determine how much to go for. For me it took 3-4 pretty good final thumps and I was able to just push the cyst away. Highly recommend giving it a try.

The Book Method
Posted by Tony (Ny) on 01/21/2017
 ★★★★★

I've had a ganglion cyst on my right wrist, palm side. It was growing in size. I was getting tired of looking at it. I read Lori's post from 2014 on smashing it with a book. I decided to give it a go. I gave it a couple of taps. Gradually harder and harder and then I whacked it real good with the binding of a Bible. Well to my surprise! It worked! I was skeptical. I was happy that I gave it a try. If you are reading this now. Work up the courage, pick up that book and give that cyst some tough love!

The Book Method
Posted by Millie (Proserpine) on 09/07/2016
 ★☆☆☆☆

I have had my ganglion (I named him Steve) for about a year. It's incredibly painful and can sometimes affect my movement. After my doctor told me he wouldn't do anything about it I tried the book method. This of course hurt a lot and Steve came back a month later. Since then I've hit him twice and while he does go away for a while, he always comes back

The Book Method
Posted by Mag (Central New York) on 04/05/2016
 ★★★★★

I had a large ganglion cyst on my knuckle. Gave it two good smacks with a heavy book and it was gone!!!

The Book Method
Posted by Roger (Australia) on 03/31/2016
 ★★★★★

Ganglion cyst 10mm appeared on side of left thumb about 50mm below joint towards elbow. One hit with the palm of my right hand & it was gone. That's 2 days ago & no sign of it yet.

The Book Method
Posted by Jds (New York, Ny) on 02/26/2016
 ★★★★★

It took a little bit for me to not feel afraid of smashing a book into the cyst I had on my finger but I finally warmed up to the idea...

I applied the frankincense oil everyone's been referencing under a bandaid the night before and this morning I essentially smashed a heavy book's binding into the finger of concern and I am happy to report the cyst is GONE! Go figure. I wouldn't waste my money on a hand surgeon for this :)

The Book Method
Posted by Terry (Canada) on 10/09/2015
 ★☆☆☆☆

I have a ganglion cyst on my finger, and it is very painful, I had surgery on it, it came back, I hit it with a book, nothing happened except more pain, I have an eraser taped to it for 3 days, nothing happening to it yet, giving up hope, that I will never get rid of it, I don't want surgery again, but if I have no other options.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
10/11/2015

Dear Terry,

Please try Castor Oil, topically, at least twice a day or Frankincense essential oil twice a day for your ganglion cyst. Keep it up for a couple of weeks before deciding if it has helped you. We have found both of these to work so well for cysts of different types. Don't give up! :)

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
10/11/2015

Terry, have you tried clay applications? It's slow but usually works.

Replied by Dana
(Seattle, Wa)
12/31/2015

Maybe you should try the frankincense? Looks like it's the most successful.

The Book Method
Posted by Sarah (Uk) on 06/19/2015
 ★★★★★

I have had a large ganglion on my foot for over six months. The doctor said it would need steroid injections which I was reluctant to have as I heard that was painful. I decided to try your method and started out with a few gentle taps with the spine of a book, then a few harder ones and could not believe my eyes when I realised it had vanished! The area was a little spongey so I massaged it and applied an ice pack for about 10 minutes and no more ganglion! It was so quick and hurt a lot less than I was expecting. I am over the moon it's gone and so grateful for this method!! xx

The Book Method
Posted by Anna (Ny, US) on 02/27/2015
 ★★★★★

I had a ganglion cyst on top of my wrist for 2 years. I tried having a Doc aspirate, I tried oregano oil with thyme for month, I tried Frankincense oil for month and nothing. If your cyst is large and firm instead of squishy you might need something stronger. Using the binding of a hard book worked for me. Start of with a light tap and then gradually increase the amount of force. I tried using full force only and it didn't work. Not only will it prepare you for the final blow but you will notice your cyst soften, and this means it's ready for the hard hit. Maybe it weakens the sack so it can pop not sure, but either way it spares you the amount of hard hits you will need (I took about 5) and totally worth it.

The Book Method
Posted by Lori (Wilm, NC) on 09/28/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I am a 31 year old woman. I got my first ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist 5 years ago. Dr. said it was barbaric to hit it with a book, so I went and got xrays, went to a hand surgeon, then had the surgery. Dr. didn't tell me, but my hand was in a cast for 2 weeks and it took 6 weeks for the stitches to heal and to lift more than 5-10 pounds.

2 months later the cyst came back in the exact same place. I went back to see the Dr. and they said it is very common for the cyst to come back. (Why not say that before surgery). I got xrays again and an MRI this time to see what area was causing the cyst to reappear. Dr. recommended another surgery (each surgery leaves scar tissue).

I came home and googled home remedies and got this website. First I saw he frankincense oil and the Epsom salt water. Some people said it took from 3 days-2 months for it to work. After reading, I saw the 'hit it with a book', so I thought why not, it is 5 in the morning, what else should I be doing. lol. I tried a couple times, but chickened out.

Then I though to take the book and hit the hand that did not have a cyst on it to get the force right and see how it felt. Once I did that a couple times, I felt more comfortable and hit the cyst. It instantly started going down. I massaged it for awhile to get more to go down, then I put ice on it for 15 minutes.

What could have been another surgery and more Dr. visits and time and money...disappeared in 2 minutes. It really didn't hurt, more just the thought of hitting yourself makes your stomach turn. It did not hurt at all afterwards and after 12 hours there was no bruise or pain. Also my hand was numb up my forearm from the cyst pressing on a nerve. As soon as I did this all feeling came back. Good Luck

Replied by Kerry
(Az)
01/29/2017
★★★★★

Wow - worked perfectly! I bent my hand forward to better exposed the cyst and whacked it with spine of the book. I massaged it and am icing it now. Thank you!! I don't need another hand surgery.


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