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Acupuncture & Chinese medicine helping with Trigger finger

Updated: May 31, 2025




Trigger finger makes a finger get stuck in a bent position. It may straighten suddenly with a snap. The fingers most often affected are the ring finger and the thumb, but the condition can affect any finger.


Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls that finger can't glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it. This may occur if part of the tendon sheath becomes swollen or if a small lump forms on the tendon.


Symptoms

Symptoms of trigger finger may progress from mild to severe and include:

  • Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning.

  • A popping or clicking sensation as the finger moves.

  • Tenderness or a bump in the palm at the base of the affected finger.

  • Finger catching or locking in a bent position, which suddenly pops straight.

  • Finger locked in a bent position.

Trigger finger can affect any finger, including the thumb. More than one finger may be affected at a time, and both hands might be involved. Triggering is usually worse in the morning.


Western medicine treatments are often steroid injections which are often not effective; or surgery.


BEFORE TREATMENT - Patient could not flatten her thumb.



AFTER TREATMENT - Thumb working normally




 
 
 

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How to Get Your VA Appointment with Dr. Corrente
 

Step-by-step

  1. See your Primary Care Physician (PCP)

    • Tell your PCP: “I’d like a referral to see Dr. Deborah Corrente (A Healthier You Wellness Center) as a new patient for acupuncture/integrative care.”

  2. PCP sends the referral

    • Ask your PCP to send the referral to the Miami VA (Community Care).

  3. Call the Miami VA after the referral is sent

    • Call the Miami VA community clinic and ask for an MSA (Medical Scheduling Assistant).

  4. Tell the MSA you have a referral to see Dr. Corrente

    • Say: “I have a referral on file to see Dr. Deborah Corrente.”

    • The MSA will search the system, confirm your authorization, and check appointment availability.

  5. Get scheduled

    • The MSA will schedule you directly for your first appointment.

    • ​

Quick phone script (copy this)

“Hi, my name is ________. My date of birth is ________. I have a referral from my PCP to see Dr. Deborah Corrente at A Healthier You Wellness Center through Community Care. Could I speak with an MSA to schedule, please?”

​

Have this information ready when you call

  • Full name and DOB

  • Last 4 of SSN

  • Your referral/consult number (if you were given one)

  • The provider’s name: Dr. Deborah Corrente (A Healthier You Wellness Center)

  • Reason for visit: Acupuncture / Integrative Medicine

  • ​

Helpful tips

  • If the MSA can’t find your referral, call your PCP and ask them to confirm it was sent to Miami VA Community Care (include your DOB and last 4).

  • Ask the MSA:

    • How many visits are authorized?

    • Authorization dates (start/end)?

    • Who to call for rescheduling or no-shows.

  • Bring to your first visit:

    • Photo ID

    • Any VA authorization paperwork (if you received it)

    • List of medications/conditions

    • ​

If you hit a snag

  • Call your PCP office and ask them to “re-send or verify the Community Care referral to Miami VA.”

  • Ask the VA operator for Community Care / MSA or the Patient Advocate at the Miami VA.

  • ​

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