Dr. Kwang Lee Wellness Center · Glendale, CA
Hand & Finger Pain Treatment in Glendale, CA: Trigger Finger, Arthritis & Numbness
Hands do everything, so even small problems — a catching finger, a sore thumb base, morning stiffness — wear on daily life. Dr. Kwang Lee, D.C., L.Ac., treats the small joints and tendons of the hand directly and checks the wrist, elbow and neck when numbness is involved.
Problems we see every week
- Finger that catches or locks when bending (trigger finger)
- Pain at the base of the thumb with pinching or opening jars
- Morning stiffness and swelling in the finger joints
- Numb or tingling fingers
- Hand pain from phone, keyboard or tools
- Weak grip or dropping objects
What treatment involves
- Examination of hand joints and tendons, and of the wrist, elbow and neck if nerves are involved
- Mobilization of finger, thumb and wrist joints
- Class 4 cold laser and acupuncture for tendon and joint pain
- Tendon-gliding and strengthening exercises
- Splinting and activity advice; referral to a hand specialist when needed
Treatments we use for this problem
- Class 4 Cold Laser (Photobiomodulation)Ligament sprains and muscle strains · Tendonitis and bursitis, including tennis elbow · Neck, lower back and knee pain
- Manual Therapy & Sports MedicineMuscle strains and sports injuries · Scar tissue and adhesions after injury · Tight, overworked muscles and fascia
- Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture & CuppingBack, neck, joint, nerve and myofascial pain · Headache and migraine frequency · Stress, tension and poor sleep
- Shockwave Therapy (incl. SoftWave)Tennis elbow, jumper's knee and shoulder tendinopathy · Plantar fasciitis and heel pain · Soft-tissue pain, tightness and restricted mobility
See a doctor or emergency room first if you have
- Finger locked and unable to straighten
- Rapid muscle wasting in the hand
- Hot, red, swollen joint with fever
- Numbness after an injury with obvious deformity
Questions patients ask
Can trigger finger improve without an injection?
Early trigger finger often improves with tendon-gliding exercises, splinting at night and treatment of the tendon sheath. Persistent cases may still need an injection or minor procedure, which we refer for.
Is the stiffness arthritis?
Morning stiffness in several finger joints can be osteoarthritis or an inflammatory type. If inflammatory arthritis is suspected, Dr. Lee refers you for blood tests and a rheumatology opinion.
Why are my fingers numb?
Numbness in specific fingers points to a nerve problem that may be at the wrist, elbow or neck. The examination identifies which, since the treatment differs.
Can I be treated in Korean?
Yes. Dr. Lee sees patients in Korean and English.