Adductor Pollicis Trigger Points
Hand and Thumb Pain - Not always Carpal Tunnel
Many people think that any pain in the thumb, second, or third finger is automatically carpal tunnel syndrome. Yes carpal tunnel syndrome does affect these fingers producing weakness, numbness, tingling, burning, and fatigue with repetitive hand motions. Several other injuries can also cause this including adductor pollicis trigger points, trigger thumb, radial nerve entrapment, wrist sprains, and tenosynovitis, and tendon sprains.
The adductor pollicis muscle aids in thumb movements, especially thumb adduction. With a lifetime of movement and utilization many people develop low grade chronic sprains and strains in the adductor pollicis muscle and tendon.
X-rays and MRIs may show mild degenerative changes in the carpels, fingers, and thumb. Many individuals have low-grade soft tissue damage or scar tissue in the hands from a lifetime of repetitive use.
Carpal tunnel syndrome would be differentiated from adductor pollicis injuries with an NCV testing. Carpal tunnel syndrome would show decreased activity in the median nerve in either it sends and sensation own motor component. However there would not be any nerve changes or loss and adductor pollicis trigger points.
Palpation of the adductor pollicis trigger pain reproduces the pain through the thumb and hand. Treatment would involve decreasing fascial adhesions, scar tissue, and soft tissue changes along the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand regions.
Treatment for Trigger PointsSoft tissue treatments that decrease scar tissue and fascial adhesions enhance overall recovery and treatment. There many treatment options including massage therapy, manual therapy, Graston technique, and Active Release Technique. These tissues treatments combined with active exercises and stretches can help relieve all hand pain associated with adductor pollicis trigger points.
Hand exercises and forearm stretches enhance overall recovery and reduce the likelihood of future occurrences or injuries.
Our Chandler Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Clinic treats patients with a variety of muscle, tendon, joint, and ligament injuries. The clinic provides treatment for runners, tri-athletes, and weekend warriors in addition to common headache, neck, and back patients traditionally seen in Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy clinics. We work with all ages and abilities of the residents in Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler AZ.