You constantly rely on your hands and wrists to get things done. But injuries and pain can make it difficult to handle even the simplest tasks, such as opening jars or walking your dog. They can also interfere with your ability to perform the sports you love, and at their worst prevent you from earning a living.
I have a special affinity for treating hands in my practice. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, I worked as a chef for 10 years. I developed painful tendonitis in my forearms, and would lay awake at night wondering how long I would be able to keep working.
Finally, I visited an orthopedic doctor, who recommended ice, NSAID’s, and to come back for surgery when those no longer worked. No mention of physical therapy or other alternatives was made. Needless to say, at the age of 27 I wasn’t eager for surgery.
Fortunately, at that time (1997!), I decided to give acupuncture a try. I had almost no knowledge of it, and this was before the internet had really developed. Nevertheless, I was fortunate enough to visit a Chinese acupuncturist, Dr. Xue Zhi Wang. Dr Wang had my arm feeling great in a very short time, and from that very first moment, I was hooked!
The wrist, hand, and fingers are the most intricate and active parts of the upper extremity. They contain 28 bones, multiple joints, numerous ligaments and many extrinsic and intrinsic muscles throughout the wrist, hand, and fingers. They are incredibly versatile but at the same time vulnerable, especially in our age of technological overuse. Successful treatment requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy and function of these remarkable appendages.
Common Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Problems We Treat Include
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Wartensburg Syndrome (Wrist, Index Finger, Thumb Pain)
Wrist Tendonitis