Effective Natural Remedies for Trigger Finger Relief

| Modified on Jan 15, 2024
Trigger Finger Remedies

Trigger finger, medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a snapping sensation in the fingers or thumb. It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath surrounding the affected digit's tendon. Although this condition can be managed with medical interventions, many seek natural relief remedies. This article explores various natural treatments that can alleviate symptoms and promote healing in those experiencing trigger finger.

Understanding Trigger Finger

Trigger finger typically results in a finger or thumb getting stuck in a bent position, then abruptly straightening - resembling a trigger being pulled. This condition is often related to the narrowing and inflammation of the tendon sheath.

Natural Remedies for Stenosing Tenosynovitis or Trigger Finger

The most effective natural treatment is the high-dose borax protocol, which takes approximately three weeks to work. Acupuncture, physical therapy, daily exercises and supplements, including bromelain, fish oil, aloe vera, and others, also treat the condition by lubricating the joints and relieving inflammation.

Borax Protocol: The Leading Natural Treatment

The borax protocol has gained attention as one of the most effective natural remedies for trigger finger, primarily due to its role in addressing boron deficiency, a common factor contributing to joint inflammation. Boron, an essential mineral found in borax, plays a critical role in reducing inflammation, enhancing bone health, and improving joint function.

Understanding Boron's Role in Joint Health

Boron is crucial for the maintenance of healthy bones and joints. It aids in the absorption of essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium and is involved in vitamin D metabolism, all of which are vital for joint health. A boron deficiency can lead to increased inflammation and joint pain, conditions often associated with trigger finger.

Implementing the Borax Protocol

The borax protocol involves consuming a solution made from 1/4 teaspoon of borax dissolved in one liter of water. This mixture is to be consumed gradually over the course of a day. The high dose of boron supplied by this protocol is key to its effectiveness in treating trigger finger.

Time Frame for Relief

It is important to note that relief from trigger finger symptoms using the borax protocol may not be immediate. Typically, at least three weeks is required to recover from boron deficiency and start experiencing a reduction in inflammation and pain. This time frame allows the body to replenish its boron levels and begin the healing process in the joints and tendons affected by trigger finger.

Consistency and Patience

Consistent daily consumption of the borax solution is essential for the protocol's success. Patience is also crucial, as the body needs time to absorb and utilize the boron effectively. During this period, it's recommended to maintain other supportive practices, such as targeted exercises and dietary changes, to enhance overall joint health and expedite recovery.

Watch our instructional video on the borax remedy for trigger finger, where you'll find detailed guidance on properly using this treatment.


Bromelain: Pineapple's Healing Enzyme

Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple juice, is beneficial for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It aids in reducing swelling and improving mobility in the affected finger.

Fish Oil for Joint Health

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is an excellent supplement for joint health. It helps lubricate the joints, reducing inflammation and aiding in nerve tissue repair, all of which are beneficial for trigger finger sufferers.

Aloe Vera: Soothing and Anti-Inflammatory

Aloe vera is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties. Whether applied topically to the affected area or taken as a supplement, aloe vera can significantly reduce stiffness and soreness in joints affected by trigger finger. Its wide range of anti-inflammatory substances, including B-sisterole, and an array of vitamins and minerals, contribute to overall wellness and joint health.

Additional Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

  • Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique can relieve pain and improve mobility in the affected finger.
  • Targeted Exercises and Stretches: Regular finger and hand exercises can enhance flexibility and strength, reducing the symptoms of trigger finger.
  • Dietary Changes: Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens, berries, and nuts, can help manage inflammation.
  • Herbal Supplements: Herbs like turmeric and ginger, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, can be taken as supplements to support joint health.

Conclusion

While trigger finger can be a painful and frustrating condition, these natural remedies offer a holistic approach to managing its symptoms. These treatments, from the borax protocol to herbal supplements, can provide significant relief and improve joint function. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Share your experiences with natural remedies for trigger finger and learn from others in the community below!

Related Links:

Borax: Unlocking the Health Benefits of a Natural Compound
How Borax Can Help Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms Naturally




Acupuncture

5 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  60%
4 star (1) 
  20%
1 star (1) 
  20%

Posted by Vincent (Vancouver, Bc) on 12/09/2015
★★★★★

I came down with trigger finger two months ago. It came and went. Massaging the swollen node did not help. I had shock wave treatment which did not work either. Then I read about acupuncture. I went to see my accupunturist. Immediately after he withdrew the needles, I felt I got 90% of my strength of my fingers back but the knuckles were still sore. I bang aided the knuckles that night to restrict movement. I woke to find my fingers were 90% better over all. I shall go for another session in a week.

Replied by Donald
(California)
12/15/2016
★☆☆☆☆

I never had any results with acupuncture,, Had it once for sinus problems and was super painful....Has anyone tried B6 ...has to be activated form ....I am going to try today,,, I have one index finger I cant bend and one ring finger that has painful trigger locking symptoms early in am when wake up


Acupuncture
Posted by Shirley44 (Powell River, Bc, Canada) on 02/01/2012
★★★★★

I have had trigger finger in my ring finger of my right hand for a few months. I had an appointment with a doctor for a cortisone shot. I am deathly afraid of cortisone so thought I'd try acupuncture before my appointment. No results the first 2 times but the 3rd time he put the needle into the back of my finger where the hardening was and it is now 90% better. He figures about 6 sessions. I am so pleased.


Acupuncture
Posted by Redstone (Weston, Ma) on 05/16/2010
★★★★★

I had trigger thumb three times, with severe pain; and was unable to grip anything with the hand. I had it in my right and left hands, about a year apart. Both times I wound up begging the doctor for a cortisone shot. The cortisone worked and I got relief with one shot.

When I got it again last year, I decided to try acupuncture. It took about 6-8 sessions but it healed and it hasn't come back. I am now in grad school for a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Try it.

There may be a Community Acupuncture practice in your area - and the cost is very reasonable - usually a sliding scale. Give it some time. It's not a magic bullet, and you may need a number of sessions to get relief. Avoid surgery - almost NEVER the answer in my opinion. Good luck.

Replied by Joyce
(Mystic, Ct.)
06/21/2010

hi, i am receiving acupuncture treatments for my "trigger thumb." however, this is a new thing for my practitioner. do you happen to know the exact points used so i can tell her. thank you!

Replied by Deborah
(Scottsdale, Az)
08/14/2011

Oh boy.... If YOU have to tell your doctor how to do this, I would change doctors!


Acupuncture
Posted by battle1320 (Los Angeles, CA) on 07/09/2009
★★★★☆

TRIGGER FINGER - PINKY

I just came across this website and I am glad to read that there are people out there exploring other options than injections and surgery. I just got TF about a week ago from playing golf. My doctor thinks that playing golf (strong grip/hand position) might have triggered the TF but I believe it was years of typing on the laptop's keyboard.

It is definitely annoying feeling the clicking in my pinky everytime i grab something with any pressure. Nonetheless, I completed one session of acupuncture and the pain has subsided quite a bit. The clicking is still there but with less pain.

So far, its been about a week w/o any golf and looking forward to another acupuncture treatment.


Aloe Vera

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
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Posted by Tom In Va (Virginia) on 05/09/2014
★☆☆☆☆

Well here is the update.

I purchased the Aloe Vera supplements, 500 mg capsules. I have been taking 1000 mg a day and haven't noticed a significant change in the trigger finger. So I am going to move on from this point and order the Bromelain and give you an update on the results.

Tom


Aloe Vera
Posted by Dora (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 10/13/2011
★★★★★

I want to thank Ted for the advice on how to cure Trigger finger. Also liked to share that I put Aloe vera on my finger and it is helping with inflammation of the finger.

Thank you very much to you all who shared such of important information. God bless you. Dora


Aloe Vera and MSM

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Helen (Sanitago De Compostela) on 09/16/2015
★★★★★

I have had trigger finger in the fourth finger on left hand for well over a year now. I have had one injection for it which worked for about 4 months and now it has come back.

I am now drinking aloe vera and also massaging aloe vera with MSM gel into my hands. This is definitely helping my thumb joint which has recently become very painful, and I think it is having a positive effect on the trigger finger.

I shall continue with these for 3 months as I think it takes that long for things in the body to really change.

Replied by Johnyyyy
(Scotland)
09/20/2015
11 posts

Hi there,

Why not try the dmso with aloe vera gel, which you can buy as a supplement 4oz jar. This should help you through the pain enough to exercise it.

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn)
09/20/2015

HI U HELLEN, , , , , , , , , , , , first get your bod alkaline by eating green and drinking baking soda. Check your urine pH and get it above 7 on the second tinkle in the mornings.

MSM is a joint supplement made by the combination of DMSO and Hydrogen Peroxide. Who ever told you to orally take that was right on the money. Increase your MSM until your pain goes away. DMSO is a solvent that will take a liniment in far better than MSM. You are probably low on electrolytes so drink a Gatorade daily.

Address what causes Trigger Finger and not the symptoms. Your MD will do that because he needs the money for his European vacation.

Wish you well. =======ORH=========


Apple Cider Vinegar

1 User Review
1 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Holly (Nova Scotia) on 01/11/2015
★☆☆☆☆

Four of my fingers are locking now from trigger finger and my hands are aching all the time. I have been taking 1 tbsp. of ACV in a glass of water 3-4 times a day, but no results so far. It was suggested that I soak my hands in ACV for 15 minutes a day using 1 part ACV and 3 of water. If this is an alternative, then for soaking can I use the regular grocery store brand as the organic is expensive for that purpose.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Di (Rich Square, North Carolina) on 09/04/2008
★★★★★

I am diabetic 44 yrs on insulin and I have triggers fingers the pain was unbearable recently but I have tried the vinegar and baking soda and lemon juice along with my new inflamaratory meds I feel 100% better
..but the baking soda bothers my stomach ...

EC: For more information about Ted's alkalizing formulas, click here.


Avoid Citrus

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by Andy (Uk) on 07/24/2017
★★★★★

I've noticed that eating oranges gives me trigger finger. Always eaten oranges and drank orange juice. Started to get trigger finger in my 50's stopped eating oranges, no more trigger finger. This may not be the case for everyone but it's definitely cured mine. I did actually try oranges again, after eating two oranges in 1 day, trigger finger started to come back. Stopped again, trigger fingers gone away, too much of a coincidence. Even if this helps a few of you it's worth posting.

Replied by Cathy
(Elmhurst)
01/17/2021
★★★★★

Hi, I'm so glad I saw your note. I have trigger finger on and off lately, I'm 53 and it started a couple years ago. I haven't had trigger finger in a long time but it came back today and I had 2 small oranges yesterday, for the first time in weeks. Thanks so much, I would have never made the connection myself.


Avoid Citrus
Posted by Roncheat (Haskell, Oklahoma Usa) on 08/20/2009
★★★★★

I have a trigger finger on my right hand that comes and goes. I have found that it is affected by citrus juices, or something along that line. If I drink orange juice or lemonade, or take a vitamin c supplement, it will cause my finger to lock up. The more I drink, the worse it gets. My doctor tells me i'm crazy. I can lay off juces for a week and the problem will go away completely.

Replied by Judie
(Utica, Mi)
02/22/2010
★★★★★

I have been having a problem this winter from Trigger finger & pain. I wondered one day if it was the orange I was having each evening to try & stay out of junk food. Your post confimred I am not the only one. I never could take Vit.C either until I came across a type that is made from Sago palm. I used to work in a health food store & many people have the same sensitivity as you & I. Thanks again

Replied by Uchiki
(Koloa, Hi, Usa)
01/27/2011

My trigger thumb only occurs at night when I am sleeping. I recently had carpal tunnel release (3 mos. Ago) after 25 years of living with the disease. The surgeon said I had a very narrow sheath. He now says that is most likely the reason for the trigger thumb. Why now? By the way I have been eating lots of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit in the last couple of months. Do I continue to drink lemon water to alkalize?

Replied by Oyakra
(Mays Landing, Nj)
01/14/2012

I also had carpal tunnel release 3 mos. ago and I have developed trigger finger in multiple fingers on both hands. The problem seems to be predominately in my thumbs and varies in severity in my ring and pointer fingers. This is the worst in the morning upon waking, to the point of very limited use of my hands. I had lived with carpal tunnel for 18 years before getting the surgery which helped with the major nerve burning and vascular restriction. It's frustrating to now have a new problem arise. I'm going to try Ted's recommendations and follow up soon. Thanks, it helps to know I'm not alone.

Replied by Aurora
(Mason City)
03/30/2023

I think the same thing is happening to me, as I started to eat one orange a day and started to get trigger finger. I am wondering if the orange supplies magnesium or potassium or both? I remember reading about someone eating oranges to supply one of those minerals and suggesting that you eat a little sea salt, to not unbalance the minerals, just a thought. I will start to eat a little salt with my oranges and see if that would fix it.


Borax

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Kimberly (New Braunfels, TX) on 10/27/2023
★★★★★

Borax for Trigger Finger

I had it in my middle finger for over a year and wearing a splint does nothing. Borax is the winner! I would say it's about 90% gone. The only thing I notice is that when trying to open a tight lid on a jar, sometimes I get a twinge. But no more stiffness, pain or waking up with a bent finger. I take the borax protocol for arthritis (which worked a miracle on my very painful shoulders in less than a week) and fixing the trigger finger was a pleasant side effect. It took longer for the finger to get better than the shoulders. I take 1/4 teaspoon in a litter of water and feel like its more effective for me if I drink 25% at a time, spaced throughout the day. By the way, I am a woman, 5'6 125 lbs but I am very comfortable with the man's dosage because I had a lot of inflammation.


Borax
Posted by Deirdre (Asheville) on 07/24/2022
★★★★★

I'm thrilled to report that Ted's borax protocol, 1/8th teaspoon of borax in 1 liter of water sipped throughout the day, has been helping my trigger finger which I had been unable to bend since April. It took 3 weeks on the protocol to start seeing results. It happened quickly. All of a sudden, I could bend my thumb again. It's no longer stuck in a straight position and popping when I bend it!

I'd say it's 60% better at this point. If I stop the borax for even just a day, my thumb starts to stiffen up again, so I have NOT been taking any days off (per the protocol).

Amazing results as Trigger Finger supposedly has no "cure." I have tried many supplements over the past 3 years for my thumb. Surgery was my next option as I have already had 2 cortisone shots that wore off. P5P, the recommended supplement for trigger finger, did not help at all.

Update 1/15/2024:

The borax protocol 100% worked on my trigger thumb. It took about 6 months to diminish the inflammation to the point I could easily bend my thumb again. I cut back on the borax protocol at the 6-month point, only doing it a few times a month when my fingers start to feel stiff. Works within a day. This is the BEST fix for a trigger finger. I tried them all!

Replied by Pono
(Sebastopol CA)
08/05/2023
★★★★★

Borax protocol for trigger finger

75 mg Boron tablets are available through Hakala company named BOROTAB.


Bromelain

12 User Reviews
5 star (10) 
  83%
4 star (1) 
  8%
1 star (1) 
  8%

Posted by Marsh57 (United States) on 03/29/2019
★★★★★

Yesterday after a nap my right 3rd finger was stuck closed. Helped it open with my other hand; it hurt like crazy, even when rubbing it. Came to EC, read about the bromelain. Took 1 capsule and an hour later, I realized the symptoms were gone. This is the 3rd time this has happened in about 3 months. I applied castor oil with frankincense which helped a bit – the pain and stiffness lasted about 3 days – but the bromelain was amazing!


Bromelain
Posted by Vkelerful (Texas) on 10/19/2018
★★★★★

I have had much success with bromalein for my trigger finger which I took for a year...Trying now to supplement with pineapple juice now to sustain. Haven't done that enough yet....but a trigger maybe once a week isn't bad. Trying to boost the juice. How much does one need? What exercises?



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