Wrist or hand pain and stiffness can be debilitating, as it can limit so many of your normal day-to-day activities. If you have a manual job, the impact can be even more significant.
Common Causes of Wrist and Hand Pain
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI) caused by repetitive movements and overuse (eg. computer and mouse use)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
- De Quervains Tenosyonovitis caused by thumb overuse
- Sprained wrist or fingers
- ‘Wear and tear’ of the hand and wrist joints due to osteoarthritis.
- Referred pain, cramps or ‘pins & needles’ from the neck
How can Osteopathy Help with Wrist and Hand Pain?
An osteopath can assess what is causing your wrist or hand pain, and if appropriate provide treatment and advice. Treatment may include massage, joint mobilisation, stretching and advice on exercises to do at home. As well as treating the wrist and hand directly, we may also work on your arm, shoulder and upper back, if assessment reveals contributing factors in those areas. Read more about osteopathic treatment.
When Is Osteopathy Not Suitable?
Wrist and hand pain may be caused by something that is not suitable for osteopathic treatment, in which case we would refer you on to a specialist. Examples include: inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, diabetes, fractures, dislocations or congenital bony anomalies.