While gardening three days ago, sprained the middle joint of my middle finger. It HURT! At first, assumed the sudden pain was due to a cactus spine stuck in my gardening glove. But by early evening…as the pain increased, and the finger stiffened with swelling and bruising, I became concerned it was sprained or may somehow have been fractured?
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ToggleSigns and Symptoms of a Sprained Finger
A sprained finger most often is experienced as a sudden onset of pain during activity. (With a ligament tear, an audible snap or pop might be heard at the time of injury.)
Symptoms may be felt on the front, back or sides of the affected finger joint. Pain and stiffness generally increase over the following 24 hours with swelling or bruising developing around the affected joint. It is also common for patients to experience pain when firmly touching the area, and, in some cases, there may be a feeling of weakness in the hand and fingers.
DIY Treatment for a Sore or Sprained Finger
Treatment of a finger sprain in the first 48 – 72 hours is vital to reduce bleeding, swelling and inflammation.
Treatment for Sprains with Essential Oils
How I used essential oils to help my finger heal in THREE days! (vs. 2 – 6 weeks with conventional methods)
The first evening ~ I soaked my hand in hot sea salt water until the water was only warm.
Applied HELICHRYSUM & ImmuGOLD rubbed into my dry, but damp, skin before going to bed.
The next morning ~ Swelling more localized to middle ‘puffy’ joint, rather than whole lower phalange.
Applied HELICHRYSUM & GERMAN CHAMOMILE essential oils rubbed in. I was able to continue gardening the next day without any problems.
That evening ~ Applied CYPRESS & LAVENDER essential oils rubbed in to reduce bruising and edema.
The second morning and evening ~ Puffiness was less. Bruising fading. Continued to apply CYPRESS & LAVENDER essential oils rubbed in.
The third morning and evening ~ Swelling is GONE, except for point of injury. ZERO pain even w/pressure! Range of movement is almost completely normal. Applied CYPRESS & LAVENDER essential oils rubbed in.
The fourth day after injury ~ I can bend my finger (clench my fist) completely without any sense of stiffness. (My ‘normal’ fingers on my other hand feel stiffer than the injured hand!) There’s a little lump on top of the joint where the injury happened. If pressed firmly, I notice a very subtle discomfort.
I consider the injury healed. Will continue to use essential oils to reduce the lump until it’s gone.
Conventional Treatment for Sprains without using Essential Oils
After you have been seen by a doctor, you can do several things to help your finger heal:
- Immediately stop any activities that increase your pain.
- Use Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) for pain and swelling
- Splint your finger by taping it to an uninjured finger next to it — which is called “buddy wrapping” — or use a finger splint you find at a drugstore. Wrap your finger with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling. Protect your skin by putting some soft padding, such as felt or foam, between your fingers before you tape them together. Start taping at the tip of your finger, overlapping half the width of the bandage until you reach the base of your finger. Watch for skin color changes. If the tip of your finger is blue or gray, or it tingles, the bandage is too tight.
CAUTIONS: Do not do ‘buddy-wrapping’ if you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.
Never splint a finger in a completely straight position, such as on a Popsicle stick. For proper healing, the finger should be slightly bent and in a relaxed position. The injured finger may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. - Apply ice to your finger for 15 to 20 minutes several times each day for the first 3 days after injury.
- Anti-inflammatory medication may ease discomfort and hasten the healing process by reducing pain and swelling associated with inflammation.
- When cleared by your doctor, gently start bending your finger, working toward a full fist. Early motion is important, as finger stiffness / weakness after ligament injury may become permanent if your finger is immobile for too long.
- With minor to moderate finger sprains, a gradual return to normal activity / sports usually is within 2 – 6 weeks. More severe injuries will require a longer rehabilitation to gain optimum function.
Additional Information on Using Essential Oils for Strains and Sprains
When selecting essential oils to heal a finger sprain, it’s important to choose oils that have properties specifically suited to this type of injury. In addition to the oils mentioned earlier – Helichrysum, German Chamomile, Cypress and Lavender – some other excellent options include:
- Frankincense – Known for its ability to reduce inflammation and pain, frankincense also has tissue-regenerating properties that can help damaged ligaments heal more quickly. Apply it directly to the injured area or add a few drops to a warm compress.
- Peppermint – Peppermint oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, making it helpful for reducing pain, swelling and muscle tension associated with sprains. Massage a drop into the affected area, but be careful as the cooling sensation can be quite intense.
- Marjoram – This warming, soothing oil is great for easing pain and spasm in muscles and connective tissue. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Dilute it well and massage gently around the injury site.
- Lemongrass – Lemongrass is another oil with powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits. It also helps improve circulation to the area, which speeds healing. Dilute it before applying topically.
When creating an essential oil blend for your sprained finger, you can combine oils with complementary properties and scents that you enjoy. Here’s one possible recipe:
- 6 drops helichrysum
- 4 drops cypress
- 4 drops frankincense
- 3 drops marjoram
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop peppermint
Dilute this blend in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil. Apply it to your finger 2-3 times per day.
Aromatherapy Treatment or Compresses
In addition to topical application, you can also harness the power of essential oils by using them in an aromatherapy diffuser. Inhaling the aroma of certain oils can help relieve pain and inflammation systemically in the body. It also has the added benefit of promoting relaxation and easing stress, which is important for healing.
Some good oils to diffuse for pain and inflammation include peppermint, lavender, frankincense, marjoram and copaiba. You can experiment with single oils or create diffuser blends. Aim to diffuse for 15-30 minutes at a time, taking breaks in between.
Another way to use essential oils for a sprained finger is in a warm or cool compress. Add a few drops of your chosen oil or blend to a bowl of water, dip in a clean cloth, wring it out and apply to your finger. The combination of temperature therapy and oil infusion can be very soothing and therapeutic.
Add Gentle Hand and Finger Exercises
When your finger is starting to feel better and the initial pain and swelling have subsided, you can begin doing gentle hand and finger exercises to regain strength and mobility. Performing these with a bit of lavender or marjoram oil can help ease residual discomfort.
Some examples of finger exercises include:
- Gently bending and straightening your finger
- Carefully making a fist, then releasing
- Touching your thumb to each fingertip in turn
- Squeezing a soft stress ball or putty
- Finger walking along a tabletop
Go slowly and stop if you feel pain. You can do these exercises several times a day as you continue to heal. Consistent use of essential oils and gentle movement can help you regain full function and flexibility in your finger over time.
Remember, while essential oils can be very effective for easing the symptoms of minor sprains and supporting the body’s healing process, they are not a replacement for proper medical care. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns, and seek urgent care for severe injuries.
But by incorporating high-quality, therapeutic grade essential oils into your natural self-care routine, you can harness the remarkable healing wisdom of plants. With a little knowledge and experimentation, you may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your body can bounce back from pesky injuries like finger sprains – naturally!
SOURCES:
www.livestrong.com/article/261623-treatment-for-a-sprained-finger-joint/
www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/finger-hand-and-wrist-injuries-home-treatment
www.physioadvisor.com.au/11178350/sprained-finger-finger-sprain-physioadvisor.htm
www.sportshealth4u.com/reflexology.html
www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Finger-Is-Broken