Trigger Finger
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Trigger Finger - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Mar 16, 2025
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Trigger Finger Remedies

Trigger finger, medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, causes discomfort and limited hand movement due to inflammation and narrowing of the tendon sheath. While medical treatments like steroid injections or surgery are common, many individuals successfully use natural remedies for trigger finger to manage symptoms effectively.

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger or thumb catches or locks when bent, then suddenly straightens, similar to a trigger being released. It results from inflammation and narrowing of the tendon sheath in the finger, causing difficulty in movement.

Top Natural Remedies for Trigger Finger Relief

Borax Protocol: A Leading Natural Remedy

The borax protocol is one of the most popular remedies for trigger finger. Its effectiveness is due to the mineral boron, which supports joint health, reduces inflammation, and aids in mineral absorption.

How Borax Helps Trigger Finger

  • Boron: Supports the absorption of calcium and magnesium, crucial for joint and tendon health.
  • Inflammation Reduction: Helps reduce swelling and stiffness associated with trigger finger.
  • Mineral Balance: Addresses deficiencies that contribute to joint problems.

Borax Protocol Instructions:

Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of borax in one liter of water. Sip throughout the day, 4-5 days per week. Results usually appear within three weeks, with continued improvement over time.

Watch Our Video on Borax for Trigger Finger Relief

Bromelain (Pineapple Enzyme)

Bromelain, derived from pineapple, offers significant anti-inflammatory benefits for trigger finger. It reduces swelling and joint stiffness, making finger movement easier and more comfortable.

How to use: Take bromelain supplements (500-1000 mg daily) or consume fresh pineapple regularly.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera provides natural relief from inflammation and stiffness associated with trigger finger. Applied topically, aloe vera gel soothes joints and improves flexibility.

How to use: Apply pure aloe vera gel to the affected area twice daily, gently massaging to relieve symptoms.

Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)

Fish oil supplements, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, reduce inflammation and lubricate joints, enhancing mobility in trigger finger.

How to use: Take 1-2 grams daily. Choose a high-quality fish oil supplement for best results.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera's soothing and anti-inflammatory properties provide quick relief from joint discomfort associated with trigger finger.

How to use: Apply aloe vera gel directly to the affected finger several times a day.

Additional Supplements for Trigger Finger

  • Magnesium: Reduces inflammation and relaxes muscles and tendons, promoting improved hand function.
  • Vitamin B6: Helps reduce inflammation and supports nerve function.
  • Turmeric (Curcumin): Provides anti-inflammatory benefits that soothe joint swelling and stiffness.

Natural Therapies and Exercises

  • Acupuncture: This traditional therapy relieves pain and increases flexibility by stimulating specific points.
  • Finger Exercises: Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises improve finger mobility and reduce symptoms.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

  • Anti-inflammatory Diet: Eat foods like berries, leafy greens, and fatty fish while reducing processed foods, sugar, and refined grains.
  • Hydration: Drink ample water daily to maintain joint lubrication and reduce inflammation.

When to See a Doctor

Natural remedies can significantly ease trigger finger symptoms, but consult a healthcare professional if:

  • Symptoms persist despite home treatments.
  • Finger stiffness or pain severely affects daily activities.
  • Finger locks frequently or becomes increasingly painful.

Conclusion

Natural treatments, including the borax protocol, bromelain, aloe vera, and fish oil, provide safe and effective relief from trigger finger. Combined with lifestyle changes and specific exercises, these remedies can greatly improve finger mobility and reduce discomfort. Always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the best results for your individual needs.

Continue reading below to discover which natural remedies have been most effective for Earth Clinic readers managing trigger finger, and be sure to share your own experiences!

Related Links:

How Borax Can Help Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms Naturally
The Powerful Health Benefits of Borax: Natural Remedy for Wellness

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Borax

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

Editor's Choice

I'm thrilled to report that Ted's borax protocol, 1/4 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!

Rule Out the Water

Posted by Deirdre (CT) on 01/15/2021
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I want to give an update to my trigger thumb issue that I wrote about last summer. I tried many of the remedies listed on EC, topically and internally, and none helped at all. After one of my thumbs basically froze in place because the tendon was so inflamed, I decided to see a hand specialist about it at the end of September. He gave me a cortisone shot in each thumb and said it would take several weeks to heal. There was definitely improvement after about 3 weeks, however the rest of my fingers were still feeling oddly arthritic.

As mentioned in my first post on the subject, besides a possible karate training injury, I had also purchased a Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filtration canister and started drinking the amazingly purified water right around the same time the trigger and arthritis finger symptoms appeared out of the blue.

Well, when healing was still moving very slowly a month after the cortisone shot, I decided to stop drinking the filtered water from my Berkey just to rule it out. Well guess what. Within a few days, all arthritis and trigger finger symptoms in both hands COMPLETELY disappeared!

People often mention to avoid distilled water because it can deplete critical nutrients from your body. However they rarely mention the same about purified water. Just wanted to put it out there that if you have sudden onset of arthritis in your hands (or elsewhere for that matter) or trigger finger, you might want to change your drinking water source and see if that helps.

It was an easy fix, but took a few months to figure out!

I hope this information helps someone else.

Avoid Citrus

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

Editor's Choice

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.

Bromelain

Posted by Moillyinfl (Florida) on 08/15/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I've had trigger finger in my thumb for several months. It was stiff and very painful. I was not able to bend it at all. Then I ran across the suggestion here to try bromelian. I ordered it the same day. In about two days, I could wiggle my thumb a little. It's been two weeks now and I have full range of motion in my thumb and no pain. It still clicks some, but at this rate, I'm sure it will be fully healed soon. I have tried so many things that didn't help at all. It was very demoralizing to have so much thumb pain because it is hard to do anything at all without using your thumb! Bromelian was like a miracle cure for me.

Bromelain
Posted by Jeanette T. (San Antonio, Texas) on 02/18/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Bromelain....worked miracles for me.I had been suffering for a month with both thumbs trigger finger. First time I took 2 tables 500 mg of bromelain an hours or 2 I felt the result. Today is my second day and I woke up a little stiff but I am taking 2 500 ms 3 times a day and I feel 99% better. Thank God I read about bromelain. I really was considering acupunture in the next few days but after taking this I have cancelled my acupuncture appointment!

Oregano Oil, Sesame Oil

Posted by Joyce (South Carolina) on 01/18/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My trigger finger increased in intensity and immobility until I could not bend it anymore. The doctor said that surgery was my only option. It got so painful that I kept it splinted day and night for months. It was NOT improving in ANY fashion.

Then, I got a massive tooth infection.

To back off the tooth infection, I started taking 5 drops of 100% oregano oil in 2 teaspoons of sesame oil and 1/4 cup warm water 3x/day.

I took this concoction for weeks and during that time, I noticed changes in my trigger thumb problem. Soon, I could bend my thumb without the excruciating 'pop' and following pain ...my thumb was getting it's mobility back!

When I got the tooth dealt with, I stopped taking the oregano but kept taking a swallow (3 tsp?) of the sesame seed oil every day, and my thumb continued getting better until I was 100% normal.

I type at least 2 hours a day at my work. I play tennis, Frisbee golf, and many other sports. It feels great. :)

I have perfect mobility now with no pain. It has been over two years now. There has been a couple times that I felt a little stiffness in the thumb..., I just took sesame seed oil that day and it stopped.

I am not sure whether it was the oregano, sesame oil or both for the initial healing.

I encourage others to just keep seeking. You never know what may be missing in your diet to encourage healing. The body is an incredible design that seems to know what to do if we just provide it the correct tools to work with.

Hang From a Monkey Bar

Posted by Chellow (Miami, Fl) on 08/17/2012
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My trigger finger has been Cured, thank be to God. I was three weeks from my scheduled operation when I started a routine of hanging from a monkey bars, if I recall right I instantly had a result the first day. One week in the rooting I cancelled the operation and two months later more or less I'm cured.

This is what the therapy that I recommend:

Hang from a monkey bar or any alternative structure that you can roll your finger around a bar that lifts you from the floor. Hang from the bar for 10 seconds and release repeat this 10 times, do this exercise daily.


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