I never tried to get rid of a ganglion cyst via the book trick. I also never saw a doctor. They would eventually break and dissipate on their own, then re-develop months later.

The book trick always sounded dangerous to me. Loss of the use of one of my guitar-playing hands, even if temporarily, due to a painful blunt injury, would be a problem.

Lately, I haven't had one. It might be because I've been on prescription anti-allergy pills for a nasal thing unrelated to the cysts.