Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

Trigger finger limits movement in the finger. The finger or thumb can get stuck in a bent position, and you may feel a click or pop as it straightens (NHS, 2025). This condition affects the tendons in the thumbs or fingers.

The flexor tendon (the tendon that bends the finger) can become irritated as it slides through the tendon sheath tunnel. As it becomes more irritated, it can thicken and form a nodule (lump), which makes it harder for it to pass through the tunnel (AAOS, n.d.).

The tendon sheath can also thicken, making the tunnel opening smaller. The tendon then becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tunnel when you try to straighten your finger. You might notice a pop as the tendon slips through the tight area and the finger shoots straight.

You may be more likely to get trigger finger if you are over 40, or have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis (NHS, 2025).

Trigger Finger Anatomy

The fingers each have three bones, while the thumb has only two. At each joint, the bones are held in place by ligaments. Muscles in the forearm and hand turn into tendons, which attach the muscles to the finger bones. The muscles move the fingers by pulling on the tendons. The finger bones are attached to the five metacarpal bones that make up the palm of the hand.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Trigger Finger

Gentle stretching exercises can help decrease stiffness and improve range of motion (AAOS, n.d.). I can show you suitable exercises and use gentle hands-on work for your hand and forearm. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Rest

Trigger finger can sometimes get better on its own. Avoid or reduce activities that make your symptoms worse until they improve (NHS, 2025).

2. Medication

The NHS says painkillers such as ibuprofen can help with the pain (NHS, 2025), and OrthoInfo adds that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help, with paracetamol (acetaminophen) as another option if you cannot take NSAIDs (AAOS, n.d.). (This medicine information comes from the NHS and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Splinting: a splint, often worn at night, that keeps the affected finger straight and reduces movement (NHS, 2025; AAOS, n.d.).
Steroid injection: an injection of corticosteroid, a powerful anti-inflammatory, into the base of the finger; up to three injections may be given, and they are less likely to work in people with diabetes, long-standing triggering or trigger thumb (AAOS, n.d.).
Surgery (trigger finger release): a small operation to open the tight part of the tendon tunnel so the tendon can move freely; it is only done if other treatments have not worked (NHS, 2025; AAOS, n.d.). Follow your surgical team's instructions afterwards.

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Gentle hands-on work for the hand and forearm
Exercises to keep the finger moving
Working out whether a splint would help, and showing you how to use one

Tips

After surgery, some soreness in your palm is normal (AAOS, n.d.).
The wound usually heals within a few weeks, but it may take 4 to 6 months for swelling and stiffness to settle completely (AAOS, n.d.).
If stiffness, swelling or pain do not improve after surgery, your doctor may suggest seeing a hand therapist (AAOS, n.d.). Once your surgical team clears you, I can also help with stiffness, swelling and the scar.
Symptoms are often worse in the morning and when using your hands, such as preparing food, using tools or playing sport (NHS, 2025).

Treatment

My Approach

Trigger finger happens when a finger tendon catches as it slides through its tunnel at the base of the finger. My aim is to ease the strain on that tendon, keep your finger moving, and change the tasks that keep irritating it, so it has the best chance to settle.

I start by assessing your hand and wrist: which finger catches and when, how far each joint moves, your grip strength, and how your forearm and hand muscles feel. I'll ask about your work, hobbies and tools, and about diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Hands-On Treatment

Work through the forearm, palm and base of the thumb to ease tension in the muscles that pull on the tendon
I keep pressure off the tender lump at the base of the finger, with no deep cross-fibre work on it while it's sore
Gentle joint mobilisation for stiff finger joints
Warm applications in clinic, and I'll show you how to use warm water or contrast bathing at home

Movement and Exercises

Gentle stretches and tendon gliding exercises (straight hand, hook fist, full fist) to keep the tendon sliding
Grip and forearm strengthening once the catching has eased
A short home programme to do through the day

Everyday Changes

Looking at your grip, tools and repetitive tasks, and ways to break them up or pad handles
Working out whether a night splint would help: I can show you how to splint the finger, or point you to a doctor or physiotherapist to have one fitted

If you have diabetes or reduced feeling in your hands, I use lighter pressure and only mild warm or cool applications; at home, always test the water temperature with your hand first.

If the finger locks and won't straighten, or it stops you doing your usual daily tasks, see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week for the first few weeks, then weekly, then less often as you manage more at home, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. Expect the catching to start easing over about 6 to 8 weeks. After surgery, swelling and stiffness can take 4 to 6 months to settle completely.

What I Focus On

Hand Assessment

Forearm & Hand Release

Tendon Gliding

Activity Changes

Splinting Advice

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to See Your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if your symptoms do not get better or stop you doing your usual daily activities (NHS, 2025).

Sources

References

NHS (2025) Trigger finger. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Trigger finger. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/trigger-finger/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooTrigger Finger

What It Is

Trigger Finger Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Trigger Finger

1. Rest

2. Medication

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Treatment

Movement and Exercises

Everyday Changes

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to See Your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooTrigger Finger

What It Is

Trigger Finger Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Trigger Finger

1. Rest

2. Medication

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Treatment

Movement and Exercises

Everyday Changes

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to See Your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

References

Related Conditions

Hand Osteoarthritis

Thumb Osteoarthritis

Wrist Osteoarthritis

Bowler's Thumb

Book a session