Elbow Wrist & Hand Pain Relief
6 Conditions That Could Be The Cause of Your Elbow, Wrist, or Hand Pain
You Don’t Have To Deal With Your Pain Alone.
Think about your typical morning. You get out of bed, brush your teeth, shower, get dressed, make breakfast, and begin your commute to work. At this point, how many times do you think you’ve already used your elbows, wrists, and hands? If you’re experiencing pain in any of these areas, you are probably very aware of how often they’re used, and you’re most likely sick of feeling pain that just won’t go away.
It doesn’t matter if you’re experiencing pain due to an injury, ailment, or some other underlying condition, it can greatly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, you can find relief or even experience a full recovery by working with a licensed Evanston, IL physical therapist at Skillz Physical Therapy.
Why Does Your Wrist, Elbow, or Hand Hurt?
Here are a few of the most common conditions that may be the underlying cause of the pain you are feeling in your elbow, wrist or hand:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common condition that affects approximately 53 million Americans. According to the Arthritis Foundation, it is the most common form of disability in the United States. There are many different forms of arthritis, but usually it’s caused by repetitive motions or an injury that impacts the cartilage in the joints of the elbow, wrist, or hand. Physical therapy helps to improve joint motion, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the surrounding supportive muscles.
Sprains/Strains
Strains refer to muscle or tendon injuries, whereas sprains refer more to the ligaments, which connect bone to bone. Strains and sprains to the elbow, wrist, or hand can result in immense pain, and get in the way of your everyday activities. These injuries typically occur from quick overstretching of the ligaments or tendons, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, or catching something heavy.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a form of nerve compression damage leading to hand, elbow, and wrist pain. It is caused by repetitive pressure on the ulnar nerve, which is located inside of the elbow. This is also referred to as your “funny bone,” although there’s nothing funny about hitting it! When pressure is put on the cubital tunnel and surrounding nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, especially to the ring and pinky fingers.
Elbow Bursitis
There is a fluid-filled sac at the end of your elbow called the “bursa,” that serves as a cushion to the elbow bone, or “ulna.” When that bursa is compressed due to an injury or repetitive motion, it can lead to pain and inflammation. Because of this, it is common to see this condition in athletes.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
The main job of the carpal tunnel is to protect the median nerve on the inside of your wrist, in addition to the tendons you use to bend the fingers. However, it is possible for this tunnel to become constricted, and when it does, nerve compression can result, leading to a variety of symptoms, such as numbness and tingling to the thumb, 1st and 2nd fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome impacts approximately 5% of all Americans, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be caused by an injury or by repetitive job-related use, such as assembly-line work, keyboard-heavy work, or driving heavy machinery.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
Both of these injuries are a result of repetitive use and can be attributed to a variety of different tasks, not just the sports they are associated with. Tennis elbow refers to pain on the lateral or outside aspect of the elbow, whereas golfer’s elbow refers to pain on the medial or inside aspect of the elbow. Physical therapy is the best treatment for both conditions, because it restores the underlying joint and soft tissue restrictions that are causing strain to the tendons, and reduces the inflammation quickly.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms caused by the conditions above, or if you have persistent pain that won’t seem to go away, contact Skillz Physical Therapy in Evanston, IL as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Our skilled physical therapists will assess your condition and pain symptoms, and be able to create a customized treatment plan for your recovery.
Commonly Experienced Symptoms:
There are a variety of symptoms associated with pain in the elbow, wrist, or hand. Short-term pain in the elbow, wrist, or hand typically results from an injury, but long-term chronic pain may indicate an unknown illness or other underlying issues. Your pain level might be considered anywhere from mild to severe, and it also may come and go at different points throughout your day or night.
You might also find that you feel numbness or tingling in the affected areas, especially in your fingers if this is where your pain resides! Depending on the severity of your condition, this can make it difficult for you to complete your daily tasks and go about a normal routine.
Stop Suffering From Your Wrist, Elbow & Hand Pain:
No matter what the cause of your wrist, elbow, or hand pain may be, physical therapy is a great solution for you. Here at Skillz Physical Therapy, we offer advanced and effective solutions that can help relieve or even eliminate your pain, restore your range of motion, and get you back on track to living a normal, healthy lifestyle.
Our Evanston, IL physical therapists will assess your pain condition, ask questions about your medical history, and create a customized treatment care plan just for you and your specific pain condition. This might include any number of modalities, including manual therapy, massage therapy, exercises, and targeted stretches to restore motion and strength.
So what’s holding you back? Don’t let your wrist, elbow, or hand pain continue to reduce your quality of life. If you’re looking for a physical therapist in Evanston, IL, contact Skillz Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment. We’ll set you up to meet with one of our dedicated team members. We’re 100% committed to giving you back your pain-free way of living!
