Don’t Let Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain Limit You – Seek Help Today
You use your elbows, wrists, and hands hundreds of times throughout the day. Consider a typical morning routine: you get out of bed, brush your teeth, shower, get dressed, make breakfast, and begin your commute to work. Your elbows, wrists, and hands are needed in order to accomplish all of those tasks!
There are a number of reasons why pain in the upper extremities may occur, such as an injury, ailment, or an underlying condition. Fortunately, Grelot Physical Therapy can help bring you relief. Contact us today at our Mobile physical therapy practice to schedule a consultation and get started on your path toward recovery!
How did my elbow, wrist, and hand pain occur?
Most injuries to the elbow, wrist, or hand will result in short-term pain. However, if the pain becomes chronic (lasting longer than three months) you may be dealing with a deeper problem.
The pain you experience may vary from mild to severe, and it may also be intermittent, meaning it comes and goes throughout the day. A common secondary symptom associated with elbow, wrist, and hand pain is a tingling or numbness felt in the upper extremities, especially in the fingers. This symptom can make it difficult to perform daily tasks at home or work, depending on how serious the condition is.
If your pain is affecting your daily life, it is important to consult with one of our Mobile physical therapists as soon as possible.
What’s causing my elbow, wrist, and hand pain?
Your upper extremities are comprised of numerous joints, bones, muscles, and tendons. A few of the most common conditions resulting in elbow, wrist, and hand pain include:
Tendonitis
The muscles that move the wrist and fingers originate at the elbow. Strain or overuse of these muscles can cause lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow) or medial elbow pain (golfer’s elbow).
Elbow Bursitis
At the back of your elbow is a fluid-filled sac called the “bursa” that decreases friction between the different moving structures around the bones and muscles. Bursitis can occur when the bursa is overly stressed by repetitive motion or compressed due to an injury or sustained pressure. This may result in pain and swelling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
The American Physical Therapy Association states that carpal tunnel syndrome impacts approximately 5% of all Americans. The carpal tunnel is the entry pathway for the median nerve and your finger tendons as they enter the wrist and hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the carpal tunnel becomes constricted or pinched. This irritates the median nerve and can result in pain and paresthesia (numbness and tingling) at the wrist and hand. It can also cause pain up the entire arm. A constricted carpal tunnel is typically caused by repetitive use of the hands. Job-related use such as assembly-line work, keyboard-heavy work, or using heavy machinery frequently is the culprit but playing video games and different musical instruments also cause overuse injuries to the lower arm.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Much like carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome is another common form of nerve irritation or damage that can lead to the elbow, wrist, and hand pain. It is caused by repetitive pressure on the ulnar nerve, which is located on the medial side of your elbow and is commonly referred to as the “funny bone.” When too much stress or pressure is put on the cubital tunnel and ulnar nerve, tingling, numbness, and pain will result.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects approximately 53 million Americans. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is the most common form of disability in the United States. There are many different forms of arthritis, but cartilage damage, inflammation, and pain can impact all the joints of your elbow, wrist, or hand.
Sprains/Strains
Sprains and strains to the elbow, wrist, or hand can also result in pain.
If you believe you may be experiencing one of the conditions above, contact our Grelot Physical Therapy office to consult with a professional today.
Treating elbow, wrist, and hand pain:
No matter what may be causing your elbow, wrist, and hand pain, physical therapy can help. Our advanced methods and treatments at Grelot Physical Therapy are designed to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and return you to your normal life. In many cases, physical therapy treatments have even been proven to eliminate the need for harmful drugs or invasive surgical repairs.
Once you complete your physical evaluation with one of our licensed Mobile physical therapists, they will design a personalized treatment plan targeting your specific needs. Your treatment plan may incorporate any combination of specialized treatments, including targeted exercises and stretches, manual therapy, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, IASTM, or any other method our physical therapist deems fit.
Don’t let elbow, wrist, and hand pain limit you – seek help today. Contact our Mobile physical therapy office today to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated team members. At Grelot Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you receive the treatment you need, so you can get back to living the active life you deserve!
