A ganglion cyst may also be referred to as a bible cyst. They are most commonly found in women between the ages of twenty to forty, but may occur in either sex at any age.
Ganglion Cysts
What Are Ganglion Cysts?
These are non-cancerous fluid-filled cysts. They most commonly occur along the tendon found at the back of the hand and at the wrist joint. Although less common, the cysts may develop along joints and tendons in the following areas:
* where the palms meet the fingers (usually present as small bumps about the size of a pea)
* just below the fingertip cuticle (these are referred to as mucous ganglion cysts)
* outer knee
* outer ankle
* top of the foot
What Causes Ganglion Cysts?
The exact cause has not been determined. While ganglion cysts remain idiopathic, there have been a few factors that have been linked to them, mainly some alteration in the normal functioning of the joint or tendon sheath. One theory is that a one-way valve is created to allow excess fluid out of the joint, but the valve will not let fluid back into the joint, thereby causing the bulging cyst area to form. A specific example of this theory would be the wear and tear of osteoarthritis causing increased joint fluids and resulting in excess fluid leaking into the tendon sheath.
Another theory suggests that some trauma or long-term overuse to the affected joint or tendon causes joint tissue to break down and form multiple small cysts. These small cysts eventually join to make one larger palpable cyst.
Key Points About Ganglion Cysts
1. The size of the cyst may vary over time.
2. The cyst often grows smaller as the affected joint or tendon is rested and larger with movement.
3. There may be only one palpable large cyst or multiple palpable small cysts.
4. Smaller cysts will usually be connected within the deeper tissue.
5. Ganglion cysts are not cancerous or harmful.
6. Ganglion cysts account for around fifty percent of all soft tissue hand tumors.
7. The fluid within the ganglion cyst is always thick, clear, sticky, odorless, and colorless.
8. The cyst may feel sponge-like or firm.
9. The cyst is usually between one to three centimeters wide.
10. The cyst is usually confined, meaning it doesn’t move around.
11. The cyst may appear gradually or suddenly, dissipate or completely go away, and then return at a later date.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Ganglion Cyst?
* refer to key points for cyst characteristics and dimensions
* some may experience mild, achy, continuous pain that intensifies with joint motion
* some may only have a visible lump that’s otherwise asymptomatic
* some may have no visible indication of the lump, but feel pain from occult ganglions
* possible weakness in the affected tendon or decreased mobility in the affected joint
Strengthening Exercises
These Wrist Exercises are ideal to build strength and flexibility.
Massage Treatment
These Wrist Massage Techniques are of great value in pain relief; circulation stimulation; dispersing blood and fluid accumulations; swelling reduction; and relaxing muscle spasms, especially when used alongside the Sinew Therapeutics liniments and soaks.
ACUTE STAGE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
This stage is characterized by swelling, redness, pain, and possibly a local sensation of heat, indicating inflammation. If coolness makes your pain feel better, then the Acute Stage Treatment is recommended.
ACUTE STAGE SYMPTOMS:
The acute stage starts the moment an injury occurs and lasts until the swelling and inflammation are gone. The swelling is the result of the blockage of blood, tissue fluids and circulation in the hand because their normal movement has been disrupted by the force of the injury. Just like cars back up behind a traffic jam, causing congestion, exhaust and overheating; blood and fluids back up behind the injured hand, causing pain, inflammation, lumps and swelling.
The sensation of heat is due to the warming action of the blood and fluids overheating in the injured hand as they back up and accumulate. Stiffness and decreased mobility are due to spasms in tendons and ligaments that have contracted reflexively beyond their normal range from the impact of the injury.
As ligaments and tendons stretch and tear, blood from ruptured blood vessels becomes trapped in the local tissues. As the trapped blood clots up, it sticks the tissues together creating adhesions. Adhesions cause pain, inflammation and restricted movement because the layers of tissue that used to slide smoothly across one another now adhere and snap which interferes with normal functioning. It is essential to break up clotted blood as quickly as possible to prevent adhesions and scar tissue from forming.
During the acute stage it is very important to restore normal circulation to the hand, break up clotted blood and stagnant fluids, reduce swelling, and reduce the redness and heat associated with inflammation. By restoring the flow of blood, fluids, and circulation in the hand, then pain is relieved, damaged tissues can regenerate with healthy functional tissue, and the hand can strengthen and regain it's mobility.
ACUTE STAGE TREATMENT:
1. Apply the Sinew Herbal Ice on your hand to reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation while dispersing accumulated blood and fluids to help restore normal circulation to the hand. This first-aid treatment is used in place of ice to significantly speed up the healing process. It reduces the swelling and inflammation more effectively than ice, allowing you to more quickly regain range of motion. Acute Sinew Liniment can be used in-between applications.
Ice is not recommended because it does not help repair damaged tissues and keeps everything in the injured area frozen, causing the stagnation of blood and fluids and the contraction of muscles, tendons and ligaments. In Chinese sports medicine ice is not used and is considered a culprit in injuries that don’t heal well.
2. Massage your hand with Acute Sinew Liniment to relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, break up clotted blood and stagnant fluids, and stimulate circulation of blood and fluids to help cells quickly repair damaged tissues. Sinew Herbal Ice can be used in-between applications.
3. The Sinew Sports Massage Oil is recommended for use before and after exercise, sports and strenuous activity. It warms and stimulates your muscles, increases circulation and relieves tightness, hence improving your performance and helping to prevent injury.
CHRONIC STAGE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
This stage begins once the swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather. If heat makes your pain feel better, then the Chronic Stage Treatment is recommended.
CHRONIC STAGE SYMPTOMS:
The chronic stage begins once the swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel aching pain and stiffness. This is because there are still accumulations of stagnant blood and fluids in your hand that are blocking circulation and blood supply to damaged tissues, creating residual pain, stiffness and weakness. You may actually feel hard nodules like sand in the tissue, indicating accumulation, calcification, and adhesions, which all cause pain, stiffness, and joint instability.
Your hand may feel more sensitive to the cold and ache in cold and damp weather due to impaired circulation. When you move your hand you may hear a clicking or popping sound from the tendons and ligaments slipping very slightly in and out of their natural alignment indicating weakness and joint instability, causing chronic pain and a cycle of reinjury. These symptoms are often the result of failure to treat the injury properly from the outset and overicing.
Increasing circulation and blood supply to the damaged tissues is very important in treating chronic injuries because tendons and ligaments do not have an extensive direct supply of blood. That is why chronic injuries can be slow to heal. Increasing local circulation also prevents cold and dampness from penetrating the injured area, preventing pain and stiffness.
During the chronic stage it is very important to break up remaining accumulations of blood and fluids, and increase circulation and blood supply to the damaged tissues. By increasing circulation and blood flow in the hand, then pain and stiffness is relieved, and the tendons and ligaments can strengthen to restore stability.
CHRONIC STAGE TREATMENT:
1. Massage your hand with Chronic Sinew Liniment to relieve pain and stiffness, strongly stimulate circulation and blood flow to damaged tissues, and promote the healing of overstretched tendons and ligaments. The Sinew Relaxing Soak can be used in-between applications.
2. Soak your hand with the Sinew Relaxing Soak to relax muscles and tendons that are in spasm, ease joint pain and stiffness, and improve range of motion. The Sinew Relaxing Soak is particularly useful if you feel restricted mobility in your hand. Chronic Sinew Liniment can be used in-between applications.
3. The Sinew Sports Massage Oil is recommended for use before and after exercise, sports and strenuous activity. It warms and stimulates your muscles, increases circulation and relieves tightness, hence improving your performance and helping to prevent injury.
