Wrist & Hand Pain Treatment In Pittsburgh, PA
Wrist & Hand Pain
Living with wrist and hand pain can be challenging, and can affect one’s quality of life. It can adversely affect your ability to play sports, play a musical instrument, perform yard work or housework, and perform self-care duties (like dressing, eating, and sleeping). If the problem is severe enough, it can also affect dexterity and adversely affect fine motor skills.
It’s been said that the most versatile tool there is our hands. We rely on them for so much. And when their function is taken away, it can have devastating consequences on our quality of life.
Causes of Wrist & Hand Pain
Hand and wrist pain can adversely affect an individual’s quality of life in various ways. The hand and wrist are essential body parts that perform numerous activities, such as grasping, gripping, typing, writing, and cooking. Any pain or discomfort in these areas can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform these tasks and engage in daily activities
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It is a condition where the protective covering of the bones (the cartilage) gets worn down and inflamed & can cause stiffness, limited range of motion, and pain.
Trauma
Traumatic injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations can cause hand and wrist pain. These injuries can occur due to falls, sports injuries, car accidents, and other types of accidents.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Doing the same thing over and over (like using a mouse, typing, playing a musical instrument, or sewing), can cause strain, inflammation, and discomfort to the soft and hard tissues of the wrist and hand.
Treating Wrist & Hand Pain
A drug-free, non-surgical approach to treating hand and wrist pain includes the following:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can be an effective non-surgical and drug-free treatment option for individuals experiencing wrist and hand pain. Chiropractors can perform adjustments, and soft tissue therapy, prescribe exercises and provide ergonomic recommendations to promote healing, reduce pain, and prevent further injuries. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any chiropractic treatment.
Your Pittsburgh chiropractor will start off doing a workup which consists of a consultation, exam, and a review of any x-rays you might have.
The Doctor may also prescribe herbal or botanical anti-inflammatory supplements. These therapies do not hurt and are very effective at giving long-lasting relief from your toughest hand & wrist pain.
Nocturnal Wrist Splints
Wearing a wrist splint while sleeping is often a good idea because it provides stability and maintains the structural integrity of the wrist. It prevents an awkward wrist posture while you are sleeping.
Ergonomic Adjustments
Oftentimes, making adjustments to ergonomics (such as the workstation, the angle we maintain our hands while typing, the height of our chair, adjusting the seat in our car, etc.. can help relieve chronic tension on the hand & wrists.
Rest
This involves temporarily discontinuing the activity that may be aggravating the wrist & hand. It provides a “cooling off period” where we can let things calm down.
Decreasing Inflammation
There are a lot of natural ways of decreasing inflammation such as using ice, and herbal or botanical supplements (such as turmeric with curcumin, ginger, boswellia, bromelain, and fish oils and avoiding ingesting pro-inflammatory foods (like sugar, grains, seed oils, and artificial sweeteners).
Nutrition
Nutrition can play a vital role in improving hand and wrist pain by reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and providing the body with the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when your hand and wrist hurts?
Wrist and hand pain could come from hard or soft tissues. Hard tissues are the bones of the wrist & hands. The soft tissues are the muscles, tendons & ligaments of the area.
When should I go to the doctor for wrist and hand pain?
You should seek the care of a qualified medical professional when the pain doesn’t go away on its own after a few weeks.
What causes joint pain in the hands and wrists?
Joint pain can be caused by arthritis, tendinitis, trauma, repetitive stress injuries, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and autoimmune disease.
How do I know if my wrist pain is serious?
You should take your problem seriously if it does not go away on its own, or if it gets progressively worse over time.
What are the first signs of arthritis in the wrist?
The first signs of arthritis are pain, stiffness & limited range of motion.