HOW TO RELIEVE JOINT PAIN IN YOUR FINGERS
1. How can TCM help prevent joint pain in fingers?
Finger joint pain is a form of Bi-Syndrome (Painful Obstruction Syndrome, 痹证) in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is mainly caused by both internal and external factors, resulting in finger joints to feel stiffness, soreness and pain.
Internal factors could include genetic factors (such as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis), sprains, traumas, dislocations, fractures, poor diet, joint injury, aging, weak joints due to lack of rest and exercise, and prolonged duration of over-usage, coupled with the accumulation of internal organs conditions, such as Cold-Damp (风湿), Damp Heat (湿热), Stagnation of Qi & Blood (气滞血瘀), Blood Deficiency (血虚), and Liver-and-Kidney-Essence Deficiency (肝肾不足). External factors would refer to the invasion of Wind, Cold, Heat or Dampness (风, 寒, 湿, 热). All these factors give rise to the obstruction of the proper flow of Qi and Blood in our fingers’ meridian channels.
Any of the abovementioned pathologic patterns, when becoming chronic, leads to the stagnation of body fluids in and around the finger joints. The fluid then condenses to form phlegm, leading to swelling and deformalities of the affected joints. Overtime, this would turn into blood stasis, which causes stubborn pain at specific points.
Exposure to cold over a long period or living in a cold and damp environment may allow Cold-Damp to invade the body. Overeating of cold food or drinking too many cold beverages may also damage the Spleen and Stomach, forming internal Damp. Cold has the characteristics of contraction and stagnation; Damp is characteristically heavy, viscous and lingering. Therefore, when Cold-Damp invades or accumulates in the channels, it causes the muscles and tendons of the fingers to contract, leading to stagnation of the Qi and Blood, which triggers the finger joint pain.
Being in a humid and warm place for a long time, or having a diet with too much fatty, sweet or pungent food, impairs the functions of the Spleen and Stomach causing Damp-Heat to form. Once Damp-Heat blocks the channels, it will cause stagnation of the Qi and Blood, so finger joint pain follows.
Qi and Blood should travel smoothly in our body’s meridians. If there is Qi and Blood stagnation from various reasons, such as emotional distress, stress, frustration, overstrain, physical trauma, or inappropriate movement of the fingers, there could be obstruction of Qi and Blood flow, leading to blockage in the channels, so finger joint pain occurs.
Prolonged chronic disease or excessive bleeding may cause the Qi and Blood to be consumed, resulting in deficiency of Blood. When there is insufficient Qi and Blood circulating in the meridians, the fingers are not properly nourished and finger joint pain follows.
In all cases of Bi Syndrome, there will be some degree of Liver and Kidney Deficiency (肝肾不足), as our Liver controls our tendons and ligaments, while Kidney controls our bones.
Our Kidney controls the Bones while the Liver controls our tendons and ligaments. Overstrain, prolonged sickness or a weak body constitution may cause the Liver-and-Kidney-Essence to be consumed, resulting in its deficiency and undernourishment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones, causing finger joint pain to occur.
By understanding the various causes of finger joint pains, TCM advises to avoid the occurrences of these potential hazards to prevent finger joint pains from arising.
2. How can TCM help treat joint pain in fingers?
Rather than eliminating symptoms, TCM aims to address the root of the problem by improving the movement of Qi and Blood in the body. It advocates treatment of joint pain in fingers based on syndrome differentiation:
Cold-Damp Syndrome (aka Sore Bi 寒痹): finger pain with a cold sensation, swelling, heaviness and numbness, or aggravation of the pain in damp and cold weather.
Treatment: dispel cold and remove damp, regulate Qi circulation and relieve pain.
Herbal Formulae: 乌头汤、桂枝芍药知母汤、当归四逆汤、薏苡仁汤 etc.
Acupuncture Points: 外关、合谷、八邪、阿是 etc.
Damp-Heat Syndrome (aka Heat Bi 热痹): swelling, redness and pain of the finger joints, heaviness and numbness of the fingers with a warm or burning sensation.
Treatment: remove damp, clear heat, regulate Qi circulation and relieve pain.
Herbal Formula: 当归拈痛汤、宣痹汤 etc.
Acupuncture Points: 支沟、二间、三间、合谷、八邪、阿是 etc.
Stagnation of Qi & Blood Syndrome: finger pain with a history of trauma or operation, stabbing pain and numbness of the fingers, aggravation of the pain at night, or deformity of the finger joints.
Treatment: promote qi & blood circulation, remove blood stasis and relieve pain.
Herbal Formula: 桃红四物汤、疏经活血汤 etc.
Acupuncture Points: 曲池、内关、列缺、合谷、八邪、阿是 etc.
Deficiency of Blood Syndrome: chronic finger pain, numbness of the fingers with stiffness, weakness of the hands, a pale complexion and lips.
Treatment: tonify qi, nourish blood and relieve pain.
Herbal Formula: 八珍汤、黄芪桂枝五物汤 etc.
Acupuncture Points: 合谷、内关、神门、足三里、阿是 etc.
Liver-and-Kidney-Essence Deficiency Syndrome: slight pain with spasm, shaking, gradual deformity of the fingers, weakness of the fingers, wrists, arms and legs, or lower back pain.
Treatment: tonify Liver & Kidney, strengthen tendons and bones, and relieve pain.
Herbal Formulae: 独活寄生汤、六味地黄丸 etc.
Acupuncture Points: 内关、合谷、太溪、太冲、三阴交、阿是 etc.
Based on the above syndrome differentiation, there are 4 main patterns of Bi-Syndrome as follows:
Wind-Bi (风痹): moving pain
Cold-Bi (寒痹): fixed pain
Damp-Bi (着痹): swollen, heaviness, and numbness in joints
Heat-Bi (热痹): severe pain and hot-red swollen joints
Accordingly, the Physician will take differentiated approaches to provide customized treatment plans including herbal prescriptions, acupuncture, tuina and moxibustion.
3. Are these treatment options safe to use by everyone?
These treatment methods are general safe for use by everyone, however, it is recommended for patients to discuss their individual cases with qualified TCM Physicians to understand their body constitutions well, and to offer a personalized treatment plan with the appropriate combination of treatment methods.
4. Can acupuncture help in any way? If yes, how?
Acupuncture is often used to treat the symptoms of arthritis pain, as a complement to herbal remedies. It stimulates localized circulation and helps to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness, help keep the joint tissues strong and health, maintain or improve the range of motion of the affected joint, reduce inflammation and prevent further condition deterioriation.
Acupuncture can also relieve emotional symptoms related to stress, fatigue, and depression. Pressing on acupoints around the affected joint, rolling and kneading along the affected meridian, are some of the techniques employed in Tuina to help relax the soft tissues around the pain area, reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion of the affected joint. Other treatment methods may also be used to expel the pathogens (for instance moxibustion may be used to eliminate cold pathogen). Treatment plans may vary from couple of weeks to months or even years depending on the severity of conditions.
5. How can traditional exercises help with joint pain?
Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) as a therapeutic, aerobic, and mind-body exercise originated from TCM tracing back to approximately 3,000 years ago. TCE, as a major integral part of non-pharmacological intervention, includes Tai Chi (太极拳), Baduanjin (八段锦), Yijinjing (易筋经), and Wuqinxi (五禽戏) that are characterized by slow, gentle, and symmetrical movements, musculoskeletal stretching, physical and psychological relaxation, combined with deep diaphragmatic breathing[1]. The Baduanjin exercise was found to be the most impactful in treating joint stiffness[2].
Doing these TCEs boosts Qi & Blood circulation while improving overall body’s vital energy and aids in the stability of emotions. TCEs generally provides gentle motions and stretching that help to remove blockages in the body. Additionally, it helps relieve arthritis by delivering warm to the affected joint. It also serves as a training to muscle building and joints strengthening, improving one’s agility and mobility.
Apart from these TCEs, one can also consider doing the following simple finger exercises regularly:
- Fist Making – slowly bend your hand into a fist with the thumb outside of the hand, hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release.
- Finger Stretching – palm facing down, gently stretch fingers as flat as possible, hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release.
- Finger Lifting – palm facing down, gently lift each finger as high as possible then release.
- Thumb Touching – gently touch thumb to each of other four fingertips, one at a time, making the shape of an “O”.
- Fingers Bending – gently bend each finger towards the center of the palm then release.
- Thumbs Up – hold hand in a loose fist and point thumb up into thumbs up sign then release.
- Wrist Stretch – lift arm up with palm facing down, take the other hand and gently press the whole hand towards the ground, then release.
- Easy Squeeze – squeeze a soft ball as hard as you can, then release.
Do for 3 to 4 times per hand. It is essential to note that these physical finger joint exercises should be performed to the best of your ability.
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