Hand and Wrist Pain Treatment in Valley Stream, NY
Your hands and wrists are part of almost everything you do. When they hurt, typing, gripping, lifting and even getting dressed can become difficult. At Valley Stream Chiropractic in Valley Stream, NY, we treat hand and wrist pain from falls, repetitive tasks at work and at home, and arthritis.
Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain
- Repetitive motions such as typing, using a mouse or working with tools
- Sprains from catching yourself during a slip or fall
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve irritation
- Arthritis in the small joints of the hand and wrist
- Irritated or inflamed tendons
- Neck problems that send symptoms into the hand
Hand and wrist pain is also a common work injury, especially for people who spend long hours at a computer or doing repetitive tasks.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek prompt medical care if your wrist looks deformed after a fall, you cannot move your fingers, numbness or weakness is getting worse, or the hand is red, hot and swollen. Call 911 if sudden hand weakness comes with face drooping, slurred speech or confusion.
How We Can Help
Some hand symptoms begin at the elbow or in the neck, so we check those areas along with your hand and wrist. Your care may include cold laser therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation to help ease pain, along with massage therapy, myofascial release and trigger point therapy for tight forearm muscles. Stretching and strengthening exercises and advice on workplace ergonomics can help reduce strain going forward.
Schedule an Appointment
If hand or wrist pain is getting in the way of your work or daily life, call Valley Stream Chiropractic today at (516) 791-6421 to schedule an appointment.
How It Can Help
Find the source
An exam checks the hand and wrist along with the elbow and neck, where some hand symptoms begin.
Ease pain and tension
Cold laser therapy, ultrasound and soft tissue work can help ease pain in the hand and wrist.
Protect your hands
Exercises and advice on how you work and type can help reduce strain on the hands and wrists.
Why Hand and Wrist Pain Matters
You use your hands and wrists for nearly everything, from typing and cooking to lifting and gripping. When they hurt, simple tasks like opening a jar, holding a phone or turning a key can become frustrating. Pain may come from repeating the same motion every day at work, from catching yourself during a fall, from arthritis in the small joints of the hand, or from irritated tendons. Tingling or numbness in the fingers can also be a sign that a nerve is being squeezed at the wrist, elbow or neck.
Hand and wrist problems often build slowly, so many people wait until the pain affects their work. Finding the source early helps guide care and may help keep the problem from getting worse. A few symptoms need medical care first, and they are listed in the FAQs below.
What to Expect From Hand and Wrist Treatment
Your chiropractor will ask about your symptoms, your work and hobbies, and which tasks are hardest. The exam checks how your fingers, wrist and elbow move, your grip strength and the sensation in your hand. Because some hand symptoms start higher up, your neck and upper back may be checked too. If a fracture or other injury that needs a different kind of care is suspected, imaging may be recommended or you may be referred to another provider.
Depending on your exam, care may include cold laser therapy, ultrasound or electrical stimulation to help ease pain, along with massage therapy, myofascial release or trigger point therapy for tight forearm muscles. Chiropractic adjustments may be used if neck problems play a role. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help, and your chiropractor may suggest changes to your workstation, keyboard or the way you grip tools. These changes are simple to try at work and at home.
New to the office? Read what to expect at your first visit, or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes hand and wrist pain?
Common causes include repetitive tasks like typing or using tools, sprains from catching yourself in a fall, arthritis, irritated tendons, and nerve problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
How can a chiropractor help with hand and wrist pain?
Depending on the exam, a chiropractor may use cold laser therapy, ultrasound, massage, myofascial release and stretching and strengthening exercises, along with advice on posture and ergonomics.
When should hand or wrist pain be seen right away?
Seek prompt medical care if the wrist looks deformed after a fall, you cannot move your fingers, numbness or weakness is getting worse, or the hand is red, hot and swollen.
Can neck problems cause hand numbness?
They can. The nerves that supply the hand start in the neck, so irritation there may cause tingling or numbness in the fingers. Your chiropractor will check your neck as well as your wrist to help find the source.
Can changing my workstation help my wrist pain?
It may. Keeping the wrists in a neutral position while typing, taking short breaks and stretching during the day can reduce strain. Your chiropractor can suggest simple changes for your desk or the tools you use at work.
Terms You May Hear
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist.
- Tendon
- A strong cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Irritated tendons are a common cause of wrist pain.
- Repetitive strain injury
- Pain or damage that develops from doing the same motion over and over, such as typing or using hand tools.
Related Services
Cold Laser Therapy
Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and help accelerate your healing process, for acute and chronic conditions.
Learn MoreMyofascial Release
Myofascial release applies gentle or moderate pressure to the connective tissues to alleviate pain and restrictive tissue problems.
Learn MoreWork Injury
Valley Stream Chiropractic helps patients recover from work injuries with chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, and cold laser therapy, with the documentation a workers compensation claim needs.
Learn More
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