Wrist woes!

You probably don’t think about how much you rely on and need your hands and wrists in your daily activities – that is until they get injured – leaving you with wrist woes!

Our wrists and hands are some of the most used joints in the human body, whether that is to type on your computer, play a sport, use your phone, or even open a door, these everyday activities become increasingly difficult if you are experiencing wrist pain!

What is wrist pain?

It is any discomfort felt in the wrist. As the wrist is constantly moving, it can become sore and even swollen, so activities that involve repetitive movements or those that place undue pressure on your wrists can cause painful problems that hinder your ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Let’s take a closer look at the wrist.

It is made up of a collection of 10 small bones wrapped in very little protective tissue. A network of tendons and ligaments allows the bones to be able to move, whilst fluid and cartilage help prevent pain.

Nerves also run through your wrist. The median nerve runs through a sort of passage called the carpal tunnel and provides sensation to your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring finger. This passageway from the wrist to the hand is made up of tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Symptoms of wrist pain

Common symptoms of wrist pain include: –

• Swelling – inflammation of the joint may cause visible swelling or puffiness.
• Pain – persistent or intermittent discomfort in the region
• Weakness – reduced grip strength and difficulty performing everyday tasks.
• Stiffness – difficulty moving the wrist due to a limited range of motion.
• Bruising – injuries to the area may result in bruising around the area.
• Clicking or popping sensation – an audible or palpable click or pop whilst moving the wrist
• Numbness or tingling – loss of feeling in the hands or fingers or a sensation of “pins and needles.”
• Difficulty bearing weight – aching worsens when putting pressure on the wrist.
• Redness and warmth – this could be a sign of inflammation in the area.

Common causes

Let us take a look at five common causes of wrist pain: –

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition and causes pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in the hand and wrist. It is caused by the median nerve being pinched by the structures around it.

2. Arthritis

This causes stiffness and swelling in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, including rheumatoid, psoriatic and osteoarthritis and is usually caused by either injury or as a result of aging.

3. Tendonitis

This is a very common injury and happens when a tendon that attaches to the bone becomes inflamed. It is very common among people who play sports, and the most well-known type is even referred to as tennis elbow.

4. Popping wrist

Popping in the wrists, also known as crepitus, can be caused by different things. If you are experiencing popping without any pain, it is most likely to be a build up of gas between the joints. If you have pain accompanied by the popping of your wrist, it could be a tendon sliding over the bone in a certain way.

5. Ganglion cysts

This is a non-cancerous, fluid-filled lump that forms in the joints and tendons of the wrist. This large cyst presses against the nerves in your wrist, causing numbness, aching, or tingling sensations. These are neither dangerous nor damaging but can cause a great deal of discomfort.

How can Chiropractic treatment help?

You may think that Chiropractors only treat back pain, but they are trained in the entire musculo-skeletal system.

Your Chiropractor can help primarily by determining and addressing the cause, with the ultimate goal being to relieve the pain and swelling as well as strengthening the joint.

Chiropractic treatment is a safe, effective, and non-invasive option to help restore normal function to your wrists and hands. Your Chiropractor has a whole arsenal of methods in order to properly align the joints.

These may include: –

• Realignment

Realignment is crucial in Chiropractic adjustments. Your Chiropractor will gently adjust the bones of the wrist to help put them back in their proper positions. This will reduce inflammation, ease nerve pain and restore normal joint function.

• Stretching

Manually stretching the wrist aims to increase flexibility, relieve tension, and improve blood flow.

• Strengthening

Strengthening exercises are essential for supporting and stabilizing the joint. Your Chiropractor may suggest specific exercises targeting the wrist and forearm muscles and tendons to enhance strength and endurance.

• Other therapies

Soft tissue therapies such as massage help ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation. These can include:

• Trigger point therapy
• Myofascial release
• Ultrasound

These alongside the Chiropractic treatment will help promote tissue healing and reduce symptoms.

In the event that you experience an injury, pain or the onset of arthritis, Chiropractic treatment can reduce the pain and address the cause of the problem.

If you would like some further information or to speak to a member of our team please call us on: Hitchin 01462 420077 or Luton 01582 579687, alternatively e-mail us at: hitchin@healesclinics.com or luton@healesclinics.com