Wrist Injuries
We use our hands for almost everything we do. From cooking to extreme sports, their relatively small structures of muscle, bone, ligaments, and tendons support us in countless ways. But when our wrists are injured, hand function goes down with them. This is why Life Balance Clinic sees many Glenview, IL, patients seeking acupuncture for wrist pain and other issues.
Types of hand and wrist pain treated with acupuncture
Acupuncture can work on wrist pain caused by both illnesses and injuries. This includes tendon and muscle tears, inflammation, the degeneration seen in arthritis, irritation from external factors, and nerve irritation. You can use acupuncture alone or in combination with other natural and conventional treatments.
Conditions where acupuncture has shown efficacy for wrist pain include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, where tendon inflammation constricts the nerves
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints
- Tenosynovitis, where the tendons’ protective sheath is inflamed
Acupuncture for hand and wrist injuries
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that helps to regulate energy flow throughout the body. It uses tiny needles inserted at shallow depths.
Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture can benefit wrist pain. One trial on TFCC tears demonstrated a much faster return of mobility and strength after surgery. Acupuncture for tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and other inflammatory conditions may be effective too. For example, a study on tenosynovitis found similar improvements in pain and disability compared to cortisol injections, which can have harmful effects. Functional impairment dropped from 64.4 to 24.3 after two weeks, and pain levels fell from 7.13 to 3.9.
What is the acupuncture point for wrist pain?
Acupuncture can treat wrist pain in the same way that it works for other conditions. It stimulates Qi (energy) flow in the meridian channels, which supports the functions of every organ and tissue. This leads to improved circulation and possibly other functions such as energy production, leading to faster resolution of injuries.
The point prescription in acupuncture will vary depending on the cause of wrist pain and individual differences between patients. For example, a study showing that acupuncture can be effective for TFCC tear recovery used BL60, GB34, SP6, and KI3.
A growing body of evidence and clinical experience shows why acupuncture for wrist injury treatment is becoming more common in Chicago. To learn more about how Dr Vadim Dekhtyar and Life Balance Clinic can help you, click here.