Can You Get Rid of a Ganglion Cyst by Bashing it With a Book?
Ganglion cysts are harmless, but they can be irritating and sometimes a little painful. These fluid lumps often appear on the hands or wrists.
In the past, it was quite common to cure ganglion cysts by bashing them with a heavy book. In fact, these cysts used to be called Bible bumps because Bibles were usually the heaviest books most people had to hit the cysts with.
Is it a good idea to get rid of a ganglion cyst by hitting it with a heavy book? What other options do you have?
Why Books and Ganglion Cysts Shouldn't Mix
It's not clear why hitting a ganglion cyst with a book works. It may be that the force of the bash disperses the fluid in the cyst or puts it back where it came from.
In any case, this isn't the best way to fix the problem. For a start, hitting a part of your body hard with a heavy book will hurt. This can also cause significant bruising. If you hit the area hard enough and at the wrong angle, then you could even break a bone. You may get rid of the cyst, but you could end up with more damage.
Also, there is no guarantee that bashing the cyst will get rid of it permanently. It may just come back once it fills up again.
How to Deal With a Ganglion Cyst
The best thing to do to start with is to see your doctor to have the cyst checked out. They can confirm whether this is a ganglion cyst and rule out anything more sinister.
Your doctor may recommend that you leave the cyst alone. It may well disappear on its own over time. This generally works all right if the cyst isn't too big and doesn't cause you any discomfort or pain.
If you have a large cyst or one that keeps growing or coming back, then your doctor may recommend that you have it treated. The same goes if the cyst hurts or is giving you pain in nearby joints. In some cases, your doctor may want to aspirate the cyst. This involves using a very fine needle to draw out the fluid. Alternatively, recurring cysts or ones that don't seem to shift on their own may need to be surgically removed.
So, leave your books in your bookcase and save yourself extra pain. A doctor in your area can help you treat the cyst painlessly and effectively without hitting you with something heavy.
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