We’ve had a few sore, swollen wrists and thumbs come into the clinic last month so we thought we’d spotlight on how acupuncture is a definite thumbs up for helping to relieve this painful condition.
What is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s syndrome is an inflammatory, overuse injury primarily of the Abductor Pollicis Longus and the Extensor Pollicis Brevis tendons of the thumb as these tendons pass through their protective sheath at the wrist.
Repetitive overuse and strain raises inflammation of the tendons and the sheath that wraps around the wrist called the synovium. This soft tissue sheath supports the easeful movement of these tendons by providing a lubricating fluid to assist in their gliding over other wrist structure. However with chronic inflammation the sheath becomes ‘sticky’, swollen and tight, and the tendons cant move freely causing OOOWWEEEE!
How do we develop De Quevain's syndrome?
How is De Quervains's treated in bio medicine?
What we can do with acupuncture to help?
Acupuncture points Sj8 and SJ6 target the muscles of the affected tendons (Abductor Pollicis Longus and the Extensor Pollicis Brevis) and improve contractile function to take the load off their overworked tendon.
Acupuncture points Lu7, Lu9 and LI5 at the wrist assist locally on the tendon pathway, reducing swelling and fascial/synovium inflammation, cooling off the area locally.
Lu5 and SJ9 acupuncture points work to deescalate and calm pain signals sent by the superior branch of the radial nerve to the brain.
“Ashi” point needling, the technique of sinew meridian needling, locates trigger points and fascial adhesions (fingers locate these points) on the Lung or Large intestine meridian to support functional chain mechanics and blood flow of the forearm, improve strength and reducing compensation in the musculature.
Topical herbal treatment is slathered on, (you guys like this bit more) the application of the House of Acupuncture famous PO SUM ON oil (that beautiful peppermint licorice based oil I hear you love so much) sooths the pain messages and soaks into the tight swollen tissues. Applied with or without a little massage (my little apology for the few pricks and pins before hand) and perhaps some gentle gua-sha to move lymphatic fluid, promote myofascial release and upregulate the endogenous (body-made) anti-inflammatory immune proteins, and that lovely pain killing nitrous oxide in the local area.
What is the treatment duration?
Acupuncture Evidence for Pain
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