Understanding Hand Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Do you stretch, massage, or shake your hands to relieve pain or discomfort? Is your discomfort bad enough that you struggle with daily tasks like writing, typing, or using utensils? If you’re unsure about your hand pain causes, contact the hand therapists at Libra Occupational Therapy. We’ll help you pinpoint the exact source–and find a treatment option that suits your needs!
It’s difficult to know just how common hand pain is. Many people never report it or may not think of it as “hand pain” when it extends into their wrist or forearm. That said, it likely is a fairly common occurrence, especially as we age: one study conducted in the United Kingdom found that 47% of the population had experienced hand pain.
Hand pain causes vary. Some hand pain results from injury, such as a sprain or fracture. Other times, it may be the result of nerve damage or arthritis. Determining the cause is the first step to addressing hand pain–something our hand therapists can help with!
Keep reading to learn more about common hand pain causes and the treatment methods we use at Libra Occupational Therapy. You can also schedule an appointment at our TX clinic for a personalized diagnosis!
Common Hand Pain Causes
Determining the source of your hand pain starts with closely examining your symptoms and mobility impairments. While there are many reasons your hands might be hurting, different conditions create different experiences of pain. Our therapists can help you make sense of the different sensations in your hands.
That said, there are several potential hand pain causes. Here are just a few of them:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition results from damage to the median nerve, which runs up your wrist and into your hand through the carpal tunnel. When something irritates the nerve, it leads to pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Radial or Ulnar Nerve Injuries: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most well-known form of nerve damage, but the median nerve isn’t the only one that can be injured. Your hands have two other nerves, the ulnar and radial nerves. Damage to either can also cause pain, tingling, and numbness, especially at night.
- Arthritis: Joint inflammation is another common source of hand pain. The two most common forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can both affect the hands. Both cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, with the advanced stages leading to hand deformity.
- De Quervain Syndrome: This condition affects the tendons near the base of your thumb, causing pain, swelling, and immobility of the thumb. It’s a type of overuse injury caused by repetitive gripping motions.
Trigger Finger: This symptom often occurs alongside other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Inflammation in one of your hands’ major tendons can cause your finger to snap involuntarily into a “trigger” position.
How Hand Therapy Can Help You Find Hand Pain Relief
Hand therapy at Libra Occupational Therapy offers several approaches to managing hand pain depending on your specific symptoms and overall condition. Using a blend of tailored exercises, patient education, pain management techniques, and orthoses, we’ll help you find the relief you need!
Here are just a few of the treatment options we might suggest:
- Therapeutic Exercise: Did you know you can work out your hands like any other body part? Our therapists will show you specific strengthening and stretching exercises to reduce pain, restore joint mobility, and improve overall hand function.
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy is a set of touch-based treatment techniques that can help manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility. For example, we might guide your fingers through their current range of motion or gently massage the soft tissue in your hands.
- Modifications: Sometimes, changing up your hand-related habits can help manage pain. That may mean setting up a more ergonomic workstation or identifying and avoiding movements that provoke your pain. We’ll let you know what should work best for you.
- Orthoses: Some conditions benefit from orthoses, such as splints or braces. These devices immobilize the affected joint (such as your wrist, thumb, or a particular finger) to facilitate healing. We’ll set you up with a custom-designed orthosis and ensure you’re utilizing it properly.
With a wealth of different treatment options at our disposal, our therapists can help you manage any hand injury or condition you may be struggling with!
What to Expect At Your Appointments
To address your hand pain, we have first to identify any hand pain causes. Therefore, your initial appointment will include a comprehensive examination of your hands and wrist. We’ll review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and perform different movement screens to test grip strength, range of motion, and more.
This information helps us understand the source of your hand pain, allowing us to provide the most effective treatment option possible! We’ll customize our treatment plans to your needs, goals, and conditions, walking you through the plan so you understand what we’re doing.
We can help with acute pain management during subsequent visits while guiding you through prescribed hand exercises. We may fit you with an orthosis if needed, and we’ll provide you with strategies and at-home exercises so you can see the best results.
From Hand Pain Causes to Hand Pain Treatments, We’ve Got You Covered!
You don’t have to live with hand pain. The hand therapists at Libra Occupational Therapy always help our patients identify their hand pain causes so we can provide the best treatment possible.
If you live in TX and are ready to say goodbye to hand pain, schedule your appointment today!