By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Sore thumb? Swelling around the thumb? Wrist pain on thumb side? These could all be symptoms of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, or inflammation in the thumb tendons. Acupuncture and TCM provide natural alternative De Quervain’s tenosynovitis treatment, to help relieve pain and improve mobility.
What Is Tenosynovitis?
Tendons are strong, flexible tissues that connect muscles to bones. Tendons are protected by sheaths, or synovial membranes. When the sheaths become inflamed, they can swell and become less able to stretch and move freely.
Wrist pain, hand pain, ankle pain, and foot pain can all be caused, in some situations, by tenosynovitis, because these are parts of the body where the tendons are long and do a lot of work. There are synovial sheaths protecting tendons all over your body, though, and anytime they become inflamed, this can be referred to as “tenosynovitis.”
What causes De Quervain’s tenosynovitis? The causes of tenosynovitis are not always apparent. Inflammation can occur due to overuse of the joints, or repetitive motion, or an injury or strain. Infections and other health problems that contribute to overall inflammation can also cause De Quervain’s disease to develop (such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes).
Tenosynovitis can also be related to hormonal fluctuations and imbalances, particularly in women. This condition is sometimes referred to as “mother’s wrist,” because it is more common in postpartum women, and also during the perimenopause transition.
De Quervain refers specifically to inflammation of the sheaths that protect the tendons of the thumb, and can lead to pain and swelling around the base of the thumb and the wrist.
Conventional Medical Treatment for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
In most cases, conventional treatment for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis focuses on reducing inflammation in the tendon sheath and preventing further irritation. Doctors typically begin with conservative approaches such as rest, activity modification, and immobilizing the thumb and wrist with a splint or brace. By limiting the motion of the inflamed tendons, the sheath has a chance to calm down and heal.
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may be recommended to help reduce swelling and ease pain. For more persistent symptoms, corticosteroid injections are often used to decrease inflammation quickly. In many cases, these injections can provide temporary relief, but symptoms sometimes return, especially if repetitive motions continue.
In severe or longstanding cases that do not respond to conservative care, surgery may be suggested. A De Quervain’s release procedure involves opening the tendon sheath to relieve pressure on the tendons and restore normal gliding. While generally effective, surgery carries risks such as scarring, nerve irritation, or reduced grip strength.
Although these treatments can provide relief, you might want to seek alternatives that address both the inflammation and the underlying imbalances contributing to chronic tendon irritation. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help relieve the pain of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, while also addressing the underlying causes of inflammation.
How Hormones Affect De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Interestingly, De Quervain’s is more common in women, especially during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Hormonal fluctuations—particularly changes in estrogen levels—appear to influence tendon and connective tissue health. Studies have shown that estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is expressed in tendon tissues, and changes in estrogen levels may alter tendon metabolism, collagen turnover, and inflammatory signaling. Lower estrogen levels, or rapid fluctuations such as those occurring postpartum or during perimenopause, may make tendons more susceptible to swelling and irritation.
This explains why many new mothers develop De Quervain’s (“mother’s wrist”). Repetitive lifting of a child, combined with hormonal changes, can create the environment for tendon sheath inflammation. Acupuncture and TCM can be especially helpful for these patients because treatment addresses both local inflammation and the systemic hormonal imbalances that contribute to tendon vulnerability.
Acupuncture and TCM Treatment for De Quervain’s
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is often associated with Qi and Blood stagnation in the wrist and thumb. When the flow of Qi is blocked, whether from overuse, strain, repetitive movements, or an underlying deficiency, the tendons are not receiving adequate nourishment. This lack of nourishment leads to stiffness, swelling, and pain along the meridians.
The affected area overlaps primarily with the Lung meridian (which runs along the thumb) and the Large Intestine meridian (which crosses the wrist). If these channels become obstructed, pain and restricted motion occur.
In some patients, underlying Liver Blood deficiency or Kidney deficiency can weaken the tendons, making them more prone to inflammation. Others may present with Dampness or Heat accumulation, leading to swelling, burning pain, and difficulty gripping.
TCM treatment not only targets the painful wrist but also restores balance throughout the body, helping to prevent recurrence.
How Acupuncture Helps De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Acupuncture is widely used for hand and wrist pain, and research supports its effectiveness for tendon inflammation. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture helps reduce pain, improve grip strength, and restore normal tendon movement by increasing microcirculation around the sheath, reducing local inflammation, and promoting healing of soft tissues.
One controlled study found that acupuncture significantly reduced wrist pain and improved functional mobility in patients with De Quervain’s, performing as well as or better than splinting alone.
Other research demonstrates that acupuncture modulates inflammatory pathways, including cytokines and neuropeptides involved in tendon irritation (as reviewed in the study from Frontiers in Pharmacology).
Electroacupuncture may be especially helpful for stubborn cases by stimulating deeper tissues. Patients often experience noticeable improvement in pain and mobility within a few sessions.
Moxibustion may be used to warm the channels and promote better circulation, especially for chronic cases with Cold-Damp stagnation. Cupping around the forearm and upper arm can help release tension in the muscles that control thumb movement. Tui Na massage techniques help reduce adhesions around the tendon sheath and improve range of motion.
These manual therapies complement acupuncture by addressing muscle imbalances and promoting the smooth movement of tendons along the radial side of the wrist.
Chinese herbal formulas may be prescribed to address inflammation and support tendon repair.
Topical herbal liniments or plasters can also be applied directly to the wrist to promote circulation and relieve pain.
Acupuncture treatment is highly individualized. Some patients require more focus on inflammation reduction, while others need systemic support for hormonal balance, postpartum recovery, or chronic overuse patterns. By addressing both tendon inflammation and whole-body imbalances, acupuncture offers a comprehensive approach that can improve healing and prevent future flare-ups.
Acupuncture for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Near Me in West Los Angeles
If thumb and wrist pain are limiting your daily activities, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can offer natural, effective relief. Whether your symptoms began after repetitive work, new parenthood, or hormonal changes, TCM provides a personalized, holistic plan to reduce inflammation and restore comfortable movement.
Contact Art of Wellness, near Santa Monica, to schedule a consultation and let our highly experienced doctors of TCM help to heal wrist pain naturally.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
