Many people’s jobs rely on regular, pain-free use of their hands, wrists, and fingers, whether you’re typing on a computer, working in a warehouse, or driving a delivery truck. Because of this, any amount of discomfort or chronic pain can be a debilitating and deeply frustrating experience to encounter every day.
Not all kinds of hand or wrist pain will naturally go away on their own. In these cases, when you are sick of taking pain medication every day just to get by, it might be time to contact one of our physical therapists to learn what simple therapeutic solutions we might be able to provide to you.
Causes of hand and wrist pain
Getting the right diagnosis for your wrist or hand pain is key to finding a solution that works both quickly and for a long time. Repetitive stress, underlying medical conditions, and injuries are common causes of wrist and hand pain and all require different interventions to treat effectively. These are just a few of the common causes of wrist and hand pain we’ve encountered at our clinics:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Pinched nerves
Symptoms of wrist and hand conditions
Other symptoms might be present along with the general feeling of pain in your hand or wrist, including:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Reduced range of motion
- Lack of dexterity (fumbling with simple tasks)
Any of these symptoms, in addition to annoying or debilitating pain, can indicate a problem with your hand or wrist that might be more serious than a simple sprain that might heal on its own. We recommend being proactive with your health and advocating for real solutions that get you the pain relief and normal function you need to live a normal life.
How physical therapy can treat wrist and hand pain
Our physical therapists will use highly personalized techniques to treat your hand or wrist based on the diagnosis of your condition, so not everyone’s treatment timeline and plan will be the same. In general, patients can expect to use a blend of approaches, including:
- Manual physical therapy
- Targeted stretching exercises
- Ergonomics assessment and training
- Strength training
Our approach seeks to increase and safeguard your overall wrist and hand health for the best chance of success both now and in the future. Start a conversation with our team by calling a clinic near you or requesting an appointment online today.
