Wrist Pain: From Carpal Tunnel to Sprains and How Osteopathy Can Help
Wrist pain is a common issue that can significantly impact your daily life, making everything from typing and writing to lifting objects a challenge. The wrist is a complex joint involving multiple small bones, ligaments, and tendons, making it susceptible to a variety of injuries and conditions.
Osteopathy offers a comprehensive approach to wrist pain. We look beyond the immediate site of discomfort to understand how your elbow, shoulder, and neck function may be contributing to the problem, providing a path to lasting relief and restored function.
Key Facts About Wrist Pain
High Prevalence: Wrist and hand conditions are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in working-age adults.
Impact of Repetition: Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) of the wrist are a leading cause of pain and lost productivity.
Not Just a Local Issue: Wrist pain can often be a symptom of a problem originating in the neck (cervical spine) due to nerve pathways that extend down the arm.
Common Causes of Wrist Pain
Understanding the source of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Common causes include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): A condition where the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Tendinopathy/Tendonitis: Inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that cross the wrist, often due to overuse. This includes conditions like De Quervain's tenosynovitis, which affects the thumb side of the wrist.
Sprains and Strains: Overstretching or tearing of the ligaments (sprains) or muscles/tendons (strains) supporting the wrist, often from a fall onto an outstretched hand or a sudden twist.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) or rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition) can affect the wrist joint, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced grip strength.
Ganglion Cysts: Non-cancerous, fluid-filled lumps that most commonly develop along the tendons or joints of the wrists.
Referred Pain: Pain that is felt in the wrist but originates from a problem elsewhere, most commonly the neck, shoulder, or elbow. Irritated nerves in the cervical spine can refer pain directly to the wrist.
How Can Osteopathy Help with Wrist Pain?
Osteopathic treatment for wrist pain is holistic. We don't just focus on the painful wrist; we assess the entire upper limb and spine to identify the underlying reasons for the dysfunction.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history to understand how your pain started, your daily activities (including work and hobbies), and what movements aggravate it.
Perform a thorough physical examination of your wrist, assessing its range of motion, strength, and stability, and conducting specific orthopaedic tests.
Conduct a postural and spinal assessment of your neck, shoulder, and elbow, as restrictions in these areas are frequently linked to wrist and hand symptoms.
This comprehensive approach allows us to create a tailored treatment plan.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Using a range of gentle, hands-on techniques, we aim to:
Reduce Pain and Muscle Tension: Soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching are used to relax the tight muscles of the forearm, upper arm, and shoulder, which can alleviate pressure on the wrist.
Improve Joint Mobility: Gentle articulation and mobilisation techniques can help restore normal, pain-free movement to the wrist joints, as well as to the elbow, shoulder, and neck.
Address Nerve Irritation: If your wrist pain is related to carpal tunnel syndrome or is referred from your neck, we use specific techniques to relieve pressure, improve nerve mobility, and reduce inflammation.
Correct Biomechanical Imbalances: We work to improve the function and coordination of the entire upper limb to ensure efficient movement and reduce strain on the wrist.
Provide Personalised Rehabilitation and Advice: You will receive guidance on specific exercises to strengthen weakened muscles, improve flexibility, and ergonomic advice for your workstation and daily activities to support recovery and prevent recurrence.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
While most wrist pain is musculoskeletal, certain symptoms require prompt medical attention. Please consult your GP or seek urgent care if your wrist pain is accompanied by any of the following:
A history of significant trauma with an obvious deformity, inability to move the wrist, or severe pain, which may indicate a fracture.
Signs of infection, such as fever, significant redness, warmth, or swelling.
Sudden onset of severe numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand, or a hand that feels cold or looks pale, which may indicate compromised blood flow or a severe nerve injury.
Symptoms that are severe, progressively worsening, or not responding to conservative care.
Take Control of Your Wrist Health
Living with persistent wrist pain can be debilitating. Osteopathy provides a safe, effective, and drug-free approach to not only alleviating your pain but also addressing the root causes to ensure a full recovery and help you return to the activities you love.
Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced osteopaths. Let us help you regain your comfort and function.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Musculoskeletal conditions. [Link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/musculoskeletal-conditions]
*Wipperman, J., & Goerl, K. (2016). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. American Family Physician, 94(12), 993-999. [Link: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/1215/p993.html]*
*Huissetede, B. M., et al. (2018). Multidisciplinary consensus on the terminology and classification of complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 75(2), 113-119. [Link: https://oem.bmj.com/content/75/2/113]*
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP) or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The information provided is based on the best available evidence at the time of publication but should not be relied upon as a sole source of information. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary based on the individual’s specific condition and response to care.