De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: 3 Paths to Natural Pain Relief
De Quervain’s syndrome is the inflammation of the tendons that run between the wrist and the thumb. It’s a common musician injury, and also affects people who work with computers or do repetitive motions with their wrists and hands. You may feel pain when moving the thumb or wrist, making a fist, or feel tenderness on the side of your wrist. The pain tends to worsen when you do movements of the thumb and wrist, including pinching, grasping, or wringing.
Fortunately, there are treatments for de Quervain’s syndrome that don’t involve invasive surgery or potentially addictive and deadly pain medication. Here are some natural remedies you can try to relieve the pain of de Quervain.
Wear a Splint
Wearing a splint can immobilize your thumb and wrist so you can rest and heal. Unless you have severe tendonitis, wear a thumb spica splint that allows for limited motion and does not completely stop motion. Total loss of motion can actually impair the healing process. But overall, you’ll want to avoid repetitive thumb movements as much as possible. Remember, you are wearing the splint so you do not use your thumb. If you fight the splint and use your hand the issues might be aggravated.
Self Stretching Techniques
You can try self stretching techniques that can provide relief. Place the hurting hand on a flat surface such as a table or desk. Move the affected thumb away from the table with the other hand and stretch it outwards.
You can also hold the affected hand sideways with the little finger first. Move the affected thumb away from the other fingers with your other hand, and then bring it back in line. Repeat 5 times.
Place an elastic band against the thumb and fingers. Move the thumb away from the fingers into the resistance of the band. Repeat 10 times.
Massage for De Quervain’s Syndrome
Massage therapy can provide deep and immediate relief for tendonitis. It can be beneficial whether you work with a professional massage therapist or even do relieving self massage exercises at home.
Pain may be deeply felt particularly in the wrist and fingers of the posterior forearm. Fortunately, these areas respond well to massage. Massage can be applied in any direction around the forearm, thumb and fingers. Working to pin and stretch the working muscles can provide great relief.
Massage along the neck and shoulders can also be deeply beneficial. Though these areas may not be directly related to de Quervain’s syndrome, your muscles may be stressed in other ways that can be quite painful.
