Bones, joints & muscles
Wrist and hand pain can make typing, cooking, writing and holding a phone uncomfortable. At our Opera House clinic we work out what is behind your symptoms, from tendon strain to nerve irritation, and plan care to ease them and protect your hands.
The wrist and hand contain many small joints, tendons and nerves packed into a small space. Pain can come from overuse of the tendons, irritation of a nerve, stiffness in the joints, or from the neck or elbow.
Common patterns include pain at the thumb side of the wrist, tingling in the fingers that is worse at night, and aching or stiffness after long periods of repetitive hand use. Each pattern points to different structures, so assessment matters.
Many hand problems are linked with how the hand is used and loaded, so adjusting daily habits is as important as exercise.
We ask which hand is affected, when symptoms occur, what you do with your hands each day, and whether you have other health conditions. Then we examine the wrist and hand and also check the elbow, shoulder and neck.
Your plan depends on what is driving the symptoms. We combine relief with changes to how the hand is used.
Adjusting grip, tool size, keyboard and mouse position, and adding short breaks to reduce repeated strain.
Gentle joint mobilisation and soft-tissue work for the wrist, hand and forearm, within your comfort.
Specific movements that help nerves and tendons move more freely through the wrist and hand.
Gradual work for the forearm and hand so they cope better with everyday demands.
If fascial tightness along the arm is adding to your symptoms, it may be used as part of your plan after assessment.
Read about this techniqueWhere appropriate, advice on whether a supportive wrist splint, for example at night, might help.
Physiotherapy suits people with wrist and hand pain from overuse, tendon strain, stiffness or mild-to-moderate nerve irritation. We make no promises of cure, and we will tell you if you need medical tests or a doctor’s opinion.
Night-time tingling is often linked with irritation of a nerve at the wrist, because we tend to bend our wrists in sleep. It can also come from the neck. Assessment helps tell which, and a splint and exercises may help.
It might be. Tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers with night symptoms often suggests it, but other causes look similar. We examine to see which pattern fits and refer you to a doctor if tests are needed.
Yes. Repeated thumb movements and holding a phone for long spells can strain the tendons. Changing how you hold it, using voice typing and taking breaks can help.
A support can help in some conditions, usually for short periods or at night. Constant use can weaken the hand, so we advise only after assessment.
Physiotherapy cannot reverse arthritis, but exercise, joint protection advice and activity changes can help manage pain and keep the hands working well.
Not always. If your symptoms are persistent, progressing or involve weakness, we will suggest you see a doctor who can decide whether tests are needed.
Keep wrists in a neutral position, use a relaxed grip, take short breaks and vary tasks. We will look at your own setup and suggest practical changes.
Your physiotherapist
Dr. Akshay Bandekar is the founder of The Posture Perfect Physiotherapy Clinic.
Qualifications: BPTh, MIAP, COMT
Advanced training: Visceral Manipulation (USA), Fascial Manipulation (Italy), Craniosacral Therapy (USA)
Meet the teamBook an assessment at our Opera House clinic and we will plan your care together.
This website provides general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A qualified healthcare professional should assess your symptoms and advise on suitable care. Seek urgent medical attention for sudden weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, chest pain, or other severe new symptoms.
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