How We Fix Hand and Wrist Pain
What is Hand and Wrist Pain?
Hand and wrist pain is often caused by repetitive movements, poor posture, or prolonged strain, especially from activities like typing, using a computer mouse, or heavy lifting. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or arthritis can also contribute to discomfort. These issues arise when tendons, nerves, or joints become compressed or irritated, leading to symptoms such as tingling, weakness or stiffness.
At home, many people attempt to alleviate hand and wrist pain through rest, applying ice or heat, or using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Some may try stretches or wrist exercises to improve flexibility and strength. Others use braces or splints to immobilise the area and reduce strain. However, while these measures can offer temporary relief, they often don’t address the root cause of the pain. Without a proper diagnosis from a specialist, these at-home solutions may only reduce symptoms temporarily, allowing the issue to persist or worsen over time.
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What are the Symptoms?
Hand and wrist pain can be seriously debilitating, manifesting as stiffness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or weakness – often making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. People with hand and wrist pain may experience discomfort while gripping objects, typing, or using a computer mouse. The pain can also radiate up the forearm or down into the fingers, affecting fine motor skills. In severe cases, the pain may limit the range of motion, making even everyday actions like writing, cooking, or holding a phone challenging.
The impact on daily life can be significant. For individuals, with active jobs or hobbies, the pain can reduce productivity and prevent participation in activities they enjoy, such as sports or crafting. Additionally, those with chronic pain may struggle to perform self-care tasks, like dressing or cleaning, which can lead to frustration, stress, and a decrease in overall quality of life. Addressing the root cause of the pain is crucial for restoring normal function.
What Is Our Approach To Treating Hand and Wrist Pain?
People who seek treatment at Sanshin Health for hand or wrist issues often have these problems due to their job or their posture for extended periods. For example, prolonged use of a computer mouse can cause strain. It’s surprising how a simple habit, repeated for hours every day, can significantly affect your body.
We also treat patients who have developed carpal tunnel syndrome, where individuals experience sensations like tingling or weakness in their fingers. However, sometimes the problem isn’t actually in the hand or wrist – it can originate in the elbow. So, even though the pain may be in the wrist, we consider the whole arm to identify the root cause.
The root cause might stem higher up the body, where tendons or nerves are being compressed, leading to symptoms in the hand. This is why people who have had carpal tunnel surgery sometimes still experience problems – it’s not always in the wrist itself. The source could even be in the back!
At Sanshin Health, our approach involves looking at the whole system, not just the pain point. We assess where the tension lies and use acupuncture to reduce inflammation and release tightness. Once that’s taken place, we focus on physical corrections. We also use massage to target the tendons and ligaments, restoring mobility. Sometimes the muscles or tendons are out of alignment, causing one to be weak and the other to overcompensate, so we work to restore the balance.