Are you suffering from recurrent elbow, wrist, or hand pain that doesn’t seem to get better? There are several reasons why you may experience pain or stiffness in these areas of the body. We use our elbows, wrists, and hands for driving, preparing food, dressing, and much more. As a matter of fact, we rely on these upper extremities for daily living. Contact Shoreline Physical Therapy for information regarding how our physical therapists can reduce or completely eliminate pain in your elbows, wrists, or hands.
What is the Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain?
Pain in your elbows, wrists, or hands can be mild, moderate, or severe. The pain may come and go, depending on a variety of factors including the types of activities you’re engaging in. Besides pain, you may experience tingling, numbness, and difficulty lifting or picking up objects. Pain throughout your arms and hands can have a great impact on your quality of life and the ease of performing daily activities.
Causes of Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain
There are several reasons you might experience pain in the elbows, wrists, or hands. The following are a few of the painful conditions that can affect these areas of your body.
This condition occurs in the wrist where tendons and a primary nerve run along the forearm to the hand. There is extensive pressure on the median nerve that causes pain in your hand. Symptoms can include numbness, burning, and pain throughout the hand. There may be a pain in the wrist that extends to the elbow. You might experience a weakened grip and have problems lifting items. The hand may also become swollen.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a narrowing of tissues in the elbow. The ulnar nerve, which runs from the shoulder down the arm and to the wrist, is the primary tissue that is affected by this condition. Symptoms can include weakness in the hands, tingling, or numbness in the pinky and ring fingers, and pain throughout the fingers and hands.
Bursitis happens when the tiny, fluid-filled sacs that cushion tendons and joints near your bones become inflamed. Bursitis is often caused by overuse and repetitive motions. Bursitis can occur throughout the body including the shoulders and elbows.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is a disease that affects more than 50 million Americans. If you’re suffering from arthritis, this can affect the joints through your elbows, wrists, and hands. This condition can cause varying degrees of pain and stiffness.
Sprains and strains are some of the most common injuries in sports. Sprains and strains in the hands or the wrists can occur from repetitive use, such as a sports activity, or after a sudden twisting motion or fall.
How Physical Therapy Helps Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain
Physical therapy can effectively reduce or eliminate pain in your elbows, wrists, and hands. It can even help you avoid surgery. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), manual physical therapy may even work better than surgery for conditions such as a carpal tunnel. Often a physical therapist will work in conjunction with your primary care doctor to identify the root cause of your pain. A physical therapist will evaluate your condition which can include assessing your flexibility and strength. After a complete evaluation has been made, a physical therapist will put together an individualized program to treat your pain. In some instances, our physical therapists may refer you to a Certified Hand Therapist outside of our clinic if a hand condition is complex and requires more specialized care. Exercise and stretching may be included to improve your strength and increase your range of motion. Heat and ice therapy, manual therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation may also be used as part of your targeted program.
If you’re suffering from pain in your elbows, wrists, or hands, a trained physical therapist may be able to help relieve or completely eliminate your pain. Contact us at our Wilmington, NC location today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists. Our therapists are committed to helping you improve your quality of life while eliminating your pain!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!