Acupuncture for tendon pain
When the sheath around a tendon becomes inflamed, simple movements catch and ache. We calm the inflammation and free the glide.
Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon, most often at the wrist, thumb or hand, De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a common example. The tendon can no longer glide smoothly, so movement catches and hurts.
It's usually driven by repetitive strain. Acupuncture reduces the inflammation and releases the surrounding tissue so the tendon moves freely again.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
We work at three levels at once, local, segmental, and central, and pick the mix based on what your case needs.
From first visit to plan
Every patient moves through the same four unhurried steps, and the first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
A tendon sheath, or synovial sheath, is a connective tissue sac that allows smooth movement of a tendon as it passes through ligaments and retinaculum (supporting bands). It is attached to the bone and consists of two layers. The inner layer, similar in structure to the synovial layer of a joint capsule, secretes viscous synovial fluid to facilitate smooth tendon movement. Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of this sheath. Certain tendons, like the Achilles tendon, lack a tendon sheath and are instead surrounded by loose connective tissue called the paratenon; inflammation of this tissue is known as paratenonitis.
Causes of tenosynovitis include bacterial infection, trauma, metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes, gout), and rheumatic diseases. However, the most common cause is inflammation due to repetitive mechanical irritation. This is frequently seen in office workers who type continuously, musicians, or athletes who perform repetitive motions, where tissues are overused without adequate rest, leading to inflammation. Symptoms can include mild warmth and swelling, pain during movement, and a creaking sound when moving the fingers, often occurring in the forearm, Achilles tendon, dorsum of the foot, hand, and other areas. Specific conditions include de Quervain’s disease (caused by stenosis in the sheath), synovial sheath inflammation, and trigger finger from thickening of the synovial or ligamentous sheath.
Western medical treatments focus on stabilizing the affected area (splints or supports), restricting movement, warm baths, topical anti-inflammatory medications, and injecting a combination of water-soluble steroids and local anesthetics into the tendon sheath (1 session daily for up to 3-4 sessions) as conservative treatment. When there is no significant improvement in cases of stenosing tenosynovitis, surgical treatment to release the sheath is recommended. However, surgery should be approached with caution due to potential complications like insufficient release or formation of neuromas post-surgery. For purulent tenosynovitis, early incision and drainage along with antibiotics are necessary.
A TKM practitioner treats tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath) using a combination of targeted acupuncture techniques to reduce pain, alleviate inflammation, and promote healing in the affected tendons. Needles may be inserted around the affected tendon sheath to increase circulation, and accelerate the body’s own healing process. Trigger points or muscle knots can develop around the affected tendon due to compensatory movement or tension. Electro-acupuncture protocols such as IMEAST (Intramuscular Electro Acupuncture Stimulation Treatment) may be used to release these trigger points, reducing tension on the tendon sheath and relieving associated pain. This technique is effective for pain management and can stimulate healing by increasing blood flow to the tendon and surrounding tissues.
腱 tendon
Read geon in Korean. Hanja are learned meaning first, then sound, so this one is 힘줄 건.