Swollen hands are caused by a build up and retention of fluid (oedema) in the hands. The cause of this can range from a physical injury or trauma to medications, an infection, problems with circulation (heart or kidneys), arthritis and pregnancy. More subtle reasons may be changes in temperature, the weather, diet, prolonged time in a stationary position, insect bites and allergic reactions. There are some key acupuncture points for swollen hands that help treat the condition.
Chinese medicine recognises a variety of causes for swollen hands – along with the ones mentioned above, it is often described as dampness and poor circulation of Qi (氣) and/or blood (Xuè: 血). Acute (sudden onset) or chronic (developed over a long period of time) are important factors. Retention of fluids in Chinese Medicine can go on to become their own problem contributing to pathogenic factors like phlegm, lethargy, slow thinking, depression and chronic tiredness.
Ireland is (in)famous for its damp weather. That, along with our tendency to eat cold, damp forming foods (think of all the food we eat from the fridge) can build up over time and contribute to dampness in the body. While it’s unlikely that our diet is the primary factor for swollen hands, the role of diet in reducing any contributory factor to a condition should never be ruled out.
The meridians (jīng luò 經絡) that start or end in the hands are the Lung, Large Intestine, SanJiao, Heart, Small Intestine and Pericardium. It is often common that swollen hands will be accompanied by pain, numbness, heaviness, nerves firing or a tingling sensation further along one of these meridians which can be a pointer towards where the problem lies. But this alone is not enough to consider – Chinese meridians can be paired in different ways. For instance, the lung and Large Intestine are paired, but the Lung is also paired with the Spleen (They are both Tai Yin). This means that a problem in the Spleen (the primary organ Chinese Medicine for ‘transforming’ foods) could affect fluid transformation and with a weakness in our Lungs, it may manifest along the lung channel. Like a lot in Chinese Medicine, there can be a circular effect that takes hold – poor transformation of fluids in the body further impacts fluid transformation and the condition snowballs until it manifests somewhere in the body in the form of oedema.
Another syndrome to consider in Chinese Medicine is Bi-Syndrome. Usually equated with arthritis (but it doesn’t specifically mean arthritis), it differentiates different categories of joint soreness that are caused by wind, damp, cold and heat. There are four categories of Bi-Syndrome and they each have their own characteristics – some of which could be related to swollen hands.
Treating swollen hands in Chinese Medicine is a two pronged approach – Firstly, the dampness must be relieved and/or transformed. Secondly, the root cause must be treated. Without treating the cause, it is likely the condition will re-occur. Only a careful examination will determine the cause of swollen hands.
There are some common points in acupuncture for swollen hands that can be massaged to provide relief but a full diagnosis is important. Not all of these points may be relevant to every condition.
Zhongzhu (SJ-3). Located on the SanJiao meridian, this point is located just behind (and between) the knuckles of the little and fourth finger. Its name translates to ‘Central Iset’ . It is also a shu-stream point and good for heaviness in the body and pain in the joints – for example pain or an inability to flex and extend the fingers.
Houxi (SI-3). Located on the Small Intestine Meridian. To find this point, make a loose fist and the point is located at the tip of the crease. It is located in the side of the hand, just behind the fifth metacarpal bone. Its name translates as ‘Back Stream’. It is also a shu-point and used for treating pain, stiffness and contraction along the Small Intestine Channel and its related channel – the Bladder.
Wangu (Si-4) is another point located on the Small Intestine Meridian. It can be tricky located, but is found on the side of the hand, in a depression between the base of the fifth metacarpal bone and the triquetral bone. It is good for heat and swelling of the fingers and further up at the opposite end of the channel, around the neck and cheek. Its name means ‘wrist bone’.
Zusanli (St-36). Located on the lower leg, a handwidth below the knee and one finger lateral to the tip of the shin bone. Commonly used to tonify the spleen and stomach to aid them in their transformation of food and fluids.
Kongzui (LU-6) is located on the Lung Channel and means ‘Maximum Opening’. It can be useful for treating pain of the arm and fingers and any obstruction along the channel that may be causing an inability to flex the fingers.
