Arm, Wrist, and Hand Pain Treatment in Bel Air, MD

Why are arm, wrist, and hand pain so common?

Working from the top down, your arms a subject to lots of daily stress and wear. Regardless of your occupation, chances are you are using your arm in some way or another. From manual labor to computers to retail. We are always picking something up, holding it, or carrying it; and the arm isn’t off work when you are. Almost every single daily activity requires the use of our arms too. Arms, wrists and hands are commonly injured in falls as the arms are what keep us from splattering our melons (our heads) on the ground.

Injuries to the Elbow

Next down you have the elbow, and the most common injuries are found in golfers and in tennis players (tennis elbow). These are basically opposite injuries based on the range of motion and the tendon that is injured. Most often these injuries are seen with athletes of the respective sports but they can also be caused by other repetitive activities.

Common elbow injuries are:

• Golfers Elbow (AKA Pitcher Elbow)
  – Technically known as Medial Epicondylitis
  – Affects the medial common flexor tendon
  – Caused by the excessive force used to bend the wrist toward the palm.
• Tennis Elbow
  – Technically known as Later Epicondylitis
  – Effects on extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon
  – Caused by excessive force used to bend the wrist toward the palm

Symptoms of Elbow injuries:

• Inflammation
• Pain, burning, or an ache along the outside of the forearm and elbow
• Limited Range of motion or activity
• Wrist pain

Treatment for elbow injuries:

• PT: Strengthening and stretching exercises
• Ultrasound therapy
• Dry needling
• Laser

Wrist Injuries

The most infamous wrist disease is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome although wrist strains are also common.

What causes Carpal Tunnel?

Anatomy of the wrist: The “Carpal tunnel” is a narrow passageway in the hand where the median nerve runs through. Overuse, stress to the area or trauma can cause inflammation in the pathway and compress the nerve.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

• Numbness, Tingling, burning
• Pain
• Weakness
• Swollen fingers

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel

Chiropractic manipulations of the wrist and elbow along with physical therapy and rehab all work great to fix whatever arm problem you might have. Associated treatments such as shockwave, Cold Laser, dry needling, and massage are also very effective here.