You might not think about how much you rely on your hands and wrists in your daily life— that is, until they are injured. You use your wrists constantly throughout the day, whether that is to type on your computer, open a door, play a sport, or even just lift an object. These everyday activities can become difficult when experiencing wrist pain. Let’s take a look at six common causes for wrist pain and how chiropractic can help you.
What is wrist pain?
Wrist pain is any discomfort felt in the wrist. This can be pain, numbness, or tingling in the wrists and hands.
The wrist is made up of a collection of 10 small bones wrapped in very little protective tissue. A network of ligaments and tendons allows the bones to be able to move, while cartilage and fluid help prevent pain. Nerves also run through your wrist. The median nerve goes through a “tunnel” called the carpal tunnel. The tissues surrounding the joints create a system that can be damaged due to incorrect or overuse.
Because the wrist is constantly in motion, it can become sore and even get swollen. This makes daily activities hard to do and can even prevent you from being able to perform some tasks.
Common causes for wrist pain
Fracture or dislocation
Any traumatic injury to your hand or wrist can result in a fracture or dislocation. This can cause swelling, tenderness, discoloration, or bruising. A fracture can be very painful and may even require emergency treatment.
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 likely a buildup 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. Both of these are treatable with wrist adjustments.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common and can cause pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hand and wrist. This happens when the median nerve becomes pinched by the structures around it.
Tendinitis
This common wrist injury happens when a tendon that attaches to the bone becomes inflamed. Tendinitis is very common among athletes, and the most well-known type is even referred to as tennis elbow.
Arthritis
This causes stiffness and swelling in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can be caused by injury or be a result of aging.
Ganglion cysts
A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous, fluid-filled lump that forms in the joints and tendons of your wrist. This large cyst presses against the nerves in your wrist, causing an ache, numbness, or tingling sensation. These are neither dangerous nor damaging, but can cause a great amount of discomfort.
How chiropractors can help with wrist pain
Are you experiencing wrist pain? Don’t worry- chiropractors are here to help. You may think that chiropractors only do back adjustments, but they are versed in the entire musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic care can help first by determining and addressing the cause. The ultimate goal is relieving the pain and swelling as well as strengthening the joint. Chiropractic treatments for your wrist can include:
- Icing
- Bracing
- Ultrasounds
- Laser therapy
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy
- Wrist adjustments
A chiropractor can use different methods to perform adjustments in order to properly align the joints. Chiropractic care is safe, effective, and a non-invasive option to help restore the movement in your wrists and hands.
Summary
These six common causes for wrist pain may have you wondering if you need help for your wrist pain. At Advantage Chiropractic Clinic, our doctors of chiropractic specialize in providing comprehensive chiropractic care to patients in the East Alabama area. Contact us to schedule an appointment to get back to doing things pain-free! To learn more about us and other chiropractic care news, keep reading our blogs.