Quick question, this may sound horrific- Have you ever woken up to find your finger stuck in a bent position, as if it were trying to pull the trigger on an imaginary gun? Or maybe it feels like you've got a rubber band tied around your finger and it just won't give? If so, you may be suffering from trigger finger. Should you be scared? Well maybe a little
Trigger finger is the painful condition where one or more of your fingers get stuck in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendons. It can make movements like gripping and pointing extremely painful and can even prevent you from fully extending your fingers.
Luckily, Physiotherapy is here to aid you in restoring movement and flexibility! In this post I'm going to discuss how physiotherapy can effectively treat trigger finger, so that you're no longer at the mercy of an invisible rubber band.
Ready? Let's get started!
video by .Miami & Lakelands Physiotherapy
Lets assume you woke up with a finger or multiple fingers that won't bend? I know, the horror! It's like grand-Gandalf has cast one of his magical spell on you and all you can think about is how to get rid of it. That's why we're talking about trigger finger – because it’s a real problem and physiotherapy treatment can help.
So, what is trigger finger? It's a condition where your thumb or fingers get stuck in a bent position and can't straighten out, scary right?, I dont know about yoiu but that sounds scary lets alone seeing it happen. A once sleek tendon or tendons in your finger or fingers become inflamed, which causes thickening, making it difficult for them to slide through the sheath that covers them – meaning you can't bend or straighten your fingers. And while anyone even can get trigger finger, some people are more likely to experience the horror than others, including people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and those who use tools like hammers a lot.
But fear not! Physiotherapy treatments can help ease the pain and stiffness associated with trigger finger and restore mobility and function of your affected digits. Let me tell you more without payment right 👇👇
If you're among the unlucky few whose trigger finger needs more than a supportive splint, physiotherapy can help. It's like having a personal trainer for your fingers - and it can get those digits back in fighting shape in no time.
By targeting specific tendons and muscles, physiotherapy helps to relieve the tightness that causes trigger finger. This could include but never limited to stretching and range-of-motion exercises to loosen up the muscles and increase flexibility,sleekiness and smooth transition; Ultrasound therapy to stimulate blood circulation and collagen production; or even modalities such as acupuncture, cupping or electrostimulation that target particular areas with micro-injuries – all of which help to reduce inflammation, increase joint mobility and reduce pain.
In addition, your healthcare provider may need to give you specific exercises you can do at home, such as massage techniques or hand and finger stretches. He or she may also provide education on ergonomics, so you can make sure you're using tools correctly and maintaining proper posture while working with your hands.
Bottom line: Physiotherapy is like boot camp for your fingers - but it pays off! With regular physiotherapy sessions, you'll soon be able to reclaim full mobility in your fingers – no more locking or soreness.
Physiotherapy Modalities for Trigger Finger: Ultrasound, Taping and More
If you're living with trigger finger, you already know how it can limit your mobility and function. Well, that's where physiotherapy comes in! There are quite a few modalities. yeah quite a few that can help to restore and improve both, but you'll have to read on to find out more about them.
Firstly, there's the trusty ultrasound treatment (I made a post on ultrasound, you might want to check it out). It works by producing sound waves that can reduce swelling and inflammation around the tendons of your fingers, making them less stiff and increasing movement.
If you want something more flexible then take a look at taping. This involves using tape or elastic bandage to support the tendon sheath during movement—so not only do you get more control over your finger movements but also an extra bit of stability too.
Lastly, let's not forget about functional rehabilitation exercises. You can use these to stretch tight tendons or strengthen weak ones; either way they will help to restore pre-injury function and mobility—all with a little effort on your part!
So when it comes to treating trigger finger, rest assured that there are plenty of modalities out there for you. Ultrasound treatments can reduce swelling, taping gives extra stability and control over movements, whilst functional rehabilitation exercises are great for strengthening weakened muscles and restoring pre-injury function.
Moving on 👇👇
Physiotherapy isn't just about rest and relaxation—it's also about getting you back to full form fast, even if you're dealing with trigger finger. Exercises can help your finger mobility and range of motion, and strengthen the entire hand to reduce discomfort.
Don't worry—physiotherapy exercises for trigger finger are never hard enough to make you break a sweat.
Stretching Exercises
Doing stretching exercises is like going for a leisurely stroll—it loosens up the muscles around your fingers and thumb, allowing better mobility and less pain. Try out these simple stretches:
Hold your hand palm-up in front of you and gently stretch each of your fingers back toward your wrist using the other hand.
Spread your fingers apart for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. Repeat five times.
Rotate each of your fingers in circles for 10 seconds each and repeat two times per finger.
Stretch the thumb by bringing it across the palm and hold for 10 seconds then release, repeating two times per thumb.
Strengthening Exercises
Adding some strengthening exercises into the mix is like giving your muscles a weight training session—but no heavy lifting required! Here are some easy ones to get started:
Squeeze a ball with both hands as hard as you can; relax after 10 seconds, then repeat five times with both hands together or alternate hands each time (whatever works best).
Grasp a rubber band by placing it around all of your fingers and gently pull it apart against light resistance (one or two rubber bands will do). Hold for
When it comes to physiotherapy for trigger finger, there's a whole world of manual therapy techniques at my fingertips—literally. Whether it's increasing range of motion (ROM) or reducing scar tissue, I'm here to help. Here are a few techniques:
Soft Tissue Massage
If you have tight muscles in your finger, hand or forearm, you can bet that I'm gonna get real hands-on with some soft tissue massage. I'll be applying sustained pressure to the affected areas in order to decrease tension and improve blood flow.
Joint Mobilization
I may also use joint mobilization as part of your treatment plan if you have limited ROM—a very common symptom of trigger finger. This technique involves gently moving joints through their normal ranges of motion in order to increase flexibility and decrease stiffness.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises are essential for restoring ROM, preventing further injury and keeping your hand strong. Together we'll work on stretches like the thumb flexor stretch or wrist extensor stretch to help combat trigger finger's tight grip on your mobility and freedom of movement!
Physiotherapy is a good first option, it is a great first option. In any case, you want to do all the conservative, non-invasive treatments before going under the knife. And physiotherapy is arguably the best way to do that—it has a range of treatments that can help restore mobility and functioning of the affected hand.
But what makes physio so promising? Here are a few of its benefits:
Physiotherapy treatments can help reduce inflammation and pain, which is key for reducing symptoms in trigger finger.
Physiotherapists will use hands-on manual therapy techniques such as massage and manipulation of soft tissue, joint mobilization and stretching exercises, to improve flexibility and functioning in the hand.
Specific exercises can be prescribed to target specific tendons or muscles that are causing stiffness or heightened resistance in the fingers or thumb. These exercises can increase your range of motion and reduce any current tightness in your fingers or thumb.
When coupled with lifestyle advice such as modifying activity levels, using ergonomic aids or aids for daily living (such as grip handles) where appropriate ,physiotherapy can help to reduce triggering episodes as well as improve dexterity in the affected hand over time.
Ultimately, physiotherapy helps relieve pain and restore strength while restoring flexibility - two major goals when dealing with trigger finger!
So if you’ve been suffering from trigger finger, don’t hesitate—give your friendly physio a call today!
Rapping up
You see, Physiotherapy for trigger finger might not be your favorite thing in the world, but it's important for restoring mobility and function to your fingers. In the end, the best way to handle trigger finger is to make sure you're staying active and properly caring for your body with regular exercise, stretching and physiotherapy. After-all well, when it comes to your fingers, you don't want to be caught playing the short game.
Just in case you have any personal questions, physiotherapy related and wound like to speak with a licensed physiotherapist, you can reach me or send me a message on WhatsApp at +2349032227392, and we can have a conversation.
