Wrist pain can significantly impact your daily life as we rely on our wrists and hands for countless activities, from typing and writing to lifting objects and participating in sports. The wrist is a complex group of joints connecting the forearm to the hand, containing numerous small bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves—all of which can be sources of pain when injured or inflamed.
Causes of Wrist Pain
Wrist pain can result from various conditions:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist area
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Overuse from repeated movements at work or during recreational or sporting activities
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, such as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Fractures: Broken bones, including scaphoid fractures and distal radius fractures
- Sprains: Stretched or torn ligaments from falls, ICBC related accidents, or over twisting resulting from sport or WorkSafe injuries
- Arthritis: Including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis
- Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled lumps that commonly develop along tendons or joints
- Nerve compression: Such as ulnar nerve tunnel syndrome
- Kienbock’s disease: A condition where blood supply to one of the small bones in the wrist is compromised
- Poor ergonomics: Improper positioning of the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand during computer use or other repetitive activities
- Post operative upper limb surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, resulting in pain, swelling and loss of mobility and strength
Symptoms of Wrist Pain
Wrist pain may present with various symptoms:
- Pain: May be sharp, dull, constant, or intermittent
- Swelling: Visible puffiness around the wrist and fingers
- Stiffness: Reduced range of motion or morning stiffness
- Weakness: Difficulty gripping, holding or lifting objects
- Numbness or tingling: Often radiating into the fingers
- Clicking or popping: Unusual sounds associated with movement of the wrist
- Warmth: The wrist may feel warm to the touch and appear slightly discolored
- Limited function: Trouble performing everyday tasks e.g. working or household activities
- Pain that worsens with specific movements: Such as twisting, gripping, or weight-bearing
When should I see a Physiotherapist?
Our best rated Physiotherapists can help if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Severe pain, especially following an injury
- Inability to move your wrist or make a fist
- Loss of strength to perform activities of daily life
- Numbness or tingling that persists
- Visible deformity
- Swelling that doesn’t improve with rest and ice
- Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities
- Symptoms that persist for more than 7 days
- Recurring wrist pain or progressive weakness
How Physiotherapy Helps Wrist Pain
Our top rated and experienced Physiotherapists use evidence-based approaches and the most updated treatment to address wrist pain:
- Comprehensive Assessment: We evaluate your shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand and functional movements to identify the root cause of your pain.
- Pain Management: Electro-therapy modalities (laser, shockwave therapy & ultrasound) to reduce pain and inflammation.
- IMS (Intramuscular muscular stimulation) with battery generated current to decrease pain and improve joint mobility
- Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle movements to restore normal mobility and prevent stiffness.
- Strengthening Program: Progressive customized exercises to build stability and strength in the shoulder, elbow, forearm wrist and muscles.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on treatment (joint mobilization & massage techniques) to improve mobility, decrease muscle tension, and reduce pain.
- Ergonomic Assessment: Analysis of your work environment and daily activities to identify and correct problematic positions or movements e.g. sleeping and home working positions
- Activity Modification: Guidance on adapting activities to reduce stress on the wrist while maintaining function.
- Splinting or Bracing Recommendations: Education and advice on supportive devices to protect the wrist during healing.
- Progressive return to work and participation in recreational and sporting activities
Preventing Wrist Pain & Self Help Measures
Consider these strategies to reduce your risk of wrist pain:
- Proper ergonomics: Set up your workstation with neutral (mid-line) wrist positioning
- Regular breaks: Take short breaks from repetitive activities to rest and not over stress your wrists
- Stretching and strengthening: Maintain flexibility and strength in your shoulder, elbow, forearm and wrist
- Proper technique: Use correct form during sports and activities
- Wrist guards: Use protective equipment during high-risk activities like skating or snowboarding
- Warm up: Before activities that stress the wrists, perform gentle warm-up exercises
- Posture awareness: Maintain good overall posture to reduce compensatory strain on wrists
- Listen to your body: Address early signs of discomfort before they progress
Why Choose one of our Top Rated Physio Clinics for Wrist Pain?
Our best rated Allied Physio clinics offer specialized care for wrist conditions with personalized treatment plans that address both your symptoms and their underlying causes. Our Physiotherapists stay current with the latest research and techniques to provide optimal care for complex wrist conditions.
We understand that wrist pain affects different people in unique ways. Whether you’re an office worker experiencing tingling and pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, an athlete recovering from a wrist injury, a tradesperson with repetitive strain, or someone dealing with arthritis, we work with you to establish meaningful goals and develop effective strategies for long-term relief and optimal function.
Book Your Allied Physio Appointment Today
Don’t let wrist pain limit your activities and independence. Contact us today for a physio appointment to schedule your comprehensive wrist assessment and begin your journey to pain-free movement and full function.
