Finger injury related to climbing

[Antoine Mulpas]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the sinew diagnosis concerning an injury following a climbing session in a young patient. The pain is at the ring finger on the palmar side (metacarpophalangeal joint). The pain is mainly felt on pressure on the area, otherwise not in day to day activities. But the pain comes back during climbing, when holding a hold. When he cools down the pain subside, but a “not normal” sensation is still there.
The area is not red, nor swollen. I didn’t treat the patient since a while now, but he will come back. Following the presentation, can we assume that is the Yangming channel (holding) and Taiyin (the pulling motion to climb up) involved ?
Thank you,
Antoine

[Armin]

Hi Antoine,

I would concur with your Yangming assessment given that he is experiencing the pain when he is doing a hold (weight bearing)! Not sure about the Taiyin, though curling the finger towards the palm probably is Taiyin, but in this case, you want to focus on the pain caused by the worst movement, and that’s the weight bearing of Yangming.

As for the actual location of pain, then it’s likely on the Jueyin/Shaoyin zones! Given that the “not normal” sensation is always there regardless, then I would tend to go for Jueyin (pain present regardless of movement).

I have had great success treating finger injuries and issues with direct rice grain moxa (okyu) around the area that hurts the most, and would a 3 rounds on the Ahshi points.

Hope this helps.
Armin

[Antoine Mulpas]

Hello Armin,

At the beginning I was a bit confused with the sinew differentiation as there is multiple positions in which you climb, and the patient cannot really tell if it is when holding with a straight arm, or during the pulling movement to reach another hold (therefore bending the arm).
I will work on Jueyin/Yangming with him next time in clinic.

I tried okyu on the local area, it helped but the results did not last long. I will combine it with the Sinew treatments.

Thanks for your detailed answer, it helps a lot.
Antoine

[Armin]

Hi Antoine,

Ann always emphasizes making sure the person is hydrated before your start your session and has them drinking a cup of water before starting. Then, you do the protocol for sinew treatments, including Du4, 14 and addressing all the deficiencies which I think you know of already based on her book.

Aside from that, the patient also needs to stay away from the activity for a bit of time for the healing to happen.

Also, pay attention to the binding areas around the elbow. There will likely be a lot of tension and points to release.

Armin

[Antoine Mulpas]

Hello Armin,

Thanks for all the tips. I’ll pay attention next time to all the details!
Antoine

[MG McCullough]

Hi Antoine,

What happened with your patient?

MG

[Author]

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