Wrist pain: causes, chiropractic treatment, and prevention
Wrist pain can limit everything from typing and texting to lifting and playing sports. At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are dedicated to helping you understand the origins of your discomfort, explore non-invasive treatment options, and adopt strategies which aim to protect your wrists for the long term.
Understanding wrist pain
Your wrist is a complex joint formed by eight small carpal bones, the radius and ulna (forearm bones), plus a network of ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. This intricate design allows for a remarkable range of motion—flexion, extension, side-to-side deviation, and rotation. However, it also makes the wrist vulnerable to a variety of injuries and dysfunctions. Pain may present as a dull ache, sharp stabbing, numbness, or stiffness, and can arise gradually through overuse or suddenly after trauma. Identifying the precise source of pain—whether structural, neurological, or inflammatory—is the first step toward lasting relief.
Common causes of wrist pain
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) Prolonged activities like typing, gaming, or assembly-line work can inflame tendons (tendinitis) or compress nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome), causing pain, weakness, and numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
- Traumatic injuries Falls onto an outstretched hand, sports impacts, or sudden twists can sprain ligaments, fracture carpal bones, or tear cartilage, leading to immediate pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
- Arthritis Osteoarthritis—wear and tear of cartilage—often affects the base of the thumb (basal joint arthritis), while rheumatoid arthritis—an autoimmune condition—can inflame multiple wrist joints, producing stiffness and deformity.
- Ganglion cysts These fluid-filled sacs arise near tendon sheaths or joint capsules, often on the back of the wrist. While benign, they can press on nearby structures and cause discomfort or visible lumps.
- Nerve entrapments In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve), conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve) or radial tunnel syndrome may present as wrist or hand pain and dysfunction.
Not all wrist issues are suitable for chiropractic care. Therefore, a thorough assessment is essential to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective management, and tailored recommendations for your specific concerns.
Chiropractic treatments for wrist pain
Chiropractic care offers targeted, non-surgical interventions designed to restore joint mechanics, relieve nerve compression, and encourage healing.
- Wrist Joint mobilisation and manipulation Gentle, precise manipulations reduce restriction in the carpal bones and improve glide between joint surfaces, reducing mechanical stress and promoting mobility.
- Soft tissue release Trigger point technique, vibration massage and soft tissue stretching techniques break down adhesions, improve circulation, and relieve tendon and ligament tension.
- Myofascial dry needling/acupuncture Can be particularly helpful for joint pains, especially those associated with arthritis.
- Neuromuscular Re-education Proprioceptive training and nerve gliding exercises help desensitise entrapped nerves, retrain muscular patterns, and reduce pain flares associated with repetitive use.
- Rehabilitation and strengthening Custom exercise programs focus on wrist flexors, extensors, and intrinsic hand muscles. Progressive resistance bands, grip strengthening, and fine motor drills rebuild endurance and stability.
- Ergonomic and postural guidance We assess your workstation, tool handles, sports techniques, and daily habits—then recommend adjustments like keyboard elevation, wrist supports, and optimal lifting mechanics to alleviate undue stress.
Preventative Strategies and Lifestyle Tips
- Ergonomic workstations Position your keyboard and mouse, so your wrists remain neutral. Use wrist rests and split keyboards as needed.
- Frequent micro-breaks Pause every 20–30 minutes to stretch your fingers, shake out tension, and perform gentle wrist circles.
- Proper technique Whether lifting weights, playing racquet sports, or cooking, keep your wrist aligned with your forearm and avoid extreme flexion or extension.
- Strength and flexibility routines Incorporate wrist curls, reverse curls, and stretch holds into your warm-up and cool-down to maintain tendon resilience.
- Protective equipment Wear wrist guards during high-impact activities or supportive braces if you have a history of RSI.
Get in touch
At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to helping you if we can. If you are wondering if your wrist complaint could be helped with chiropractic care, we encourage you to contact us for a personalised consultation. Our experienced chiropractic team will conduct a thorough assessment, explain our findings and what we think is possible in clear terms. If appropriate, we will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and goals, aiming to maximise your possible benefit.
Not all complaints are appropriate for chiropractic care: If we think we cannot help your complaint, or you require more investigations, we will do our best to support you in finding you another path forward.