Finger and Wrist Pain: Understanding the Hand, Wrist, and Upper Extremity

Finger and wrist pain can make everyday activities such as typing, writing, gripping, lifting, cooking, exercising, or using a smartphone difficult.

There are many possible causes of finger and wrist pain, so each case needs to be evaluated individually. Repetitive activities, overuse, previous injuries, changes in joint function, tendon irritation, arthritis, and nerve-related conditions can all contribute to symptoms.

From a Gonstead chiropractic perspective, it can also be useful to consider how the hand and wrist function together with the fingers, forearm, elbow, shoulder, and cervical spine.

The location of pain does not always tell the entire story.

How Do the Fingers and Wrist Work?

The muscles that control the fingers and wrist include muscles responsible for flexing and extending the fingers and wrist.

Many of the muscles that move the fingers are located in the forearm. Their tendons travel through the wrist and into the hand and fingers.

The finger flexor muscles are primarily located along the palm side of the forearm, while many of the finger extensor muscles are located along the back of the forearm.

Everyday activities often require repeated gripping with the fingers flexed. Typing and mouse use can also involve maintaining the fingers and wrist in relatively fixed positions for extended periods.

When certain movements are performed repeatedly, the muscles, tendons, and joints involved may be exposed to increased mechanical stress.

Maintaining appropriate strength, mobility, and coordination between opposing muscle groups can be an important part of healthy hand and wrist function.

Why Can Finger and Wrist Problems Develop Gradually?

Many hand and wrist problems do not begin with one obvious injury.

Instead, symptoms may develop gradually through repetitive activities, overuse, sustained positions, or changes in movement patterns.

Because these changes often occur slowly, people may not pay much attention until pain, stiffness, weakness, or reduced range of motion becomes noticeable.

Depending on the condition, degenerative changes in the finger joints may also cause enlargement, stiffness, or changes in the appearance of the joints.

Early evaluation can be useful when you notice persistent changes in how your fingers or wrist feel or move.

Identifying the cause early may help you understand what activities or mechanical factors could be contributing to the symptoms.

Are You Exercising Your Fingers the Right Way?

There is a common misconception that repeatedly squeezing a soft ball or grip-strengthening device is the best exercise for every hand problem.

Squeezing primarily strengthens the finger flexor muscles. Depending on the individual's condition, exercises that involve the opposing finger extensor muscles may also be useful.

One simple exercise is to place a rubber band around the fingers and gently open the fingers against the resistance of the band.

The resistance should be appropriate for the individual's strength and condition.

However, exercises are not appropriate for every hand or wrist problem. If opening the fingers against resistance causes pain, do not simply push through the pain.

Pain may indicate irritation or injury involving a tendon, joint, ligament, nerve, or other tissue.

In these situations, an appropriate evaluation should be considered before beginning or progressing strengthening exercises.

The Connection Between the Neck, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Fingers

The hand does not function independently from the rest of the upper extremity.

The neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers work together during activities such as reaching, gripping, typing, lifting, and writing.

The nerves that supply the arm and hand also originate from the cervical region and travel through the upper extremity.

For this reason, symptoms in the fingers or wrist may sometimes occur together with symptoms involving the neck, shoulder, or elbow.

This does not mean that every hand or wrist problem originates in the neck. Local conditions involving the joints, tendons, muscles, nerves, or other tissues can also cause symptoms.

However, when symptoms persist or occur in multiple areas, evaluating the entire upper extremity may provide additional information.

Why Can Wrist and Finger Pain Keep Coming Back?

Some people experience temporary relief but notice that their symptoms return when they resume normal activities.

Recurring symptoms may have several possible contributors, including:

• Repetitive gripping
• Prolonged computer work
• Repetitive wrist movements
• Occupational demands
• Previous injuries
• Poor ergonomics
• Muscle weakness or imbalance
• Restricted joint movement
• Insufficient recovery

Simply reducing pain may not address every factor contributing to recurring symptoms.

Understanding how the hand and upper extremity are being used can help identify activities or movement patterns that may be contributing to continued stress.

How Does a Gonstead Chiropractor Evaluate Finger and Wrist Problems?

A Gonstead chiropractor may evaluate more than just the location of the pain.

Depending on the patient's symptoms and examination findings, an evaluation may include:

• Postural evaluation
• Cervical spine examination
• Thoracic spine examination
• Static palpation
• Motion palpation
• Instrumentation
• Orthopedic testing
• Neurological examination
• Shoulder and elbow evaluation
• Forearm and wrist evaluation
• Finger and hand evaluation
• Range-of-motion testing
• X-rays when clinically indicated

The findings are considered together with the patient's history and symptoms.

The purpose is to identify specific clinical findings and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

If the examination suggests that additional medical, orthopedic, or neurological evaluation is necessary, referral to an appropriate healthcare professional may be recommended.

Treating the Painful Area Is Not Always the Whole Picture

When finger or wrist pain develops, it is natural to focus on the painful area.

Local treatment may be appropriate depending on the diagnosis. At the same time, understanding how the wrist and hand function with the forearm, elbow, shoulder, and cervical spine may provide additional information.

A comprehensive approach may include appropriate activity modification, ergonomic changes, mobility exercises, strengthening, rehabilitation, or other care depending on the underlying condition.

The goal is to understand the factors contributing to the symptoms rather than simply focusing on temporary pain relief.

When Should Finger or Wrist Pain Be Evaluated?

Professional evaluation may be appropriate when you experience:

• Persistent or recurring wrist pain
• Finger pain or stiffness
• Difficulty gripping objects
• Reduced wrist or finger movement
• Pain while typing or using a computer
• Pain during writing or repetitive hand activities
• Swelling or tenderness
• Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
• Weakness or loss of grip strength
• Symptoms following an injury

Sudden severe pain, significant trauma, visible deformity, substantial swelling, loss of function, or rapidly worsening numbness or weakness should receive prompt medical evaluation.

Gonstead Chiropractic Care for Finger and Wrist Pain in Fairfax, VA

At Nova Gonstead Chiropractic in Fairfax, Virginia, our evaluation of finger and wrist symptoms goes beyond simply examining the painful area.

The Gonstead System allows us to evaluate the cervical spine, thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and related structures for specific clinical findings that may be relevant to the patient's symptoms.

If you are experiencing finger pain, wrist pain, hand stiffness, recurring wrist problems, or hand symptoms associated with neck, shoulder, or elbow problems, a thorough examination can help identify factors that may be contributing to your condition and determine whether Gonstead chiropractic care may be appropriate.

Nova Gonstead Chiropractic
Fairfax, Virginia

Healthy hand and wrist function depends on the coordinated movement of the fingers, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, and cervical spine. Understanding this relationship can be an important part of evaluating persistent hand and wrist problems.

NoVA Gonstead Chiropractic Clinic
9514 Lee Hwy (Route 29), Suite B
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 359-6262