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Hand & Wrist Physical TherapyRaleigh-Durham, Fayetteville & Surrounding North Carolina Cities

A physical therapist can help ease hand and wrist pain through many avenues. Therapy for the hand and wrist will prioritize mobility and strength of the joints and muscles that surround the hand and wrist and activities to avoid while you heal. It is important to seek PT early in the healing process so your hand and wrist can function normally as quickly as possible.

Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain can happen from an injury or gradually over time. Sudden wrist pain happens due to muscle strains, ligaments sprains, or fractures and typically from breaking a fall with an outstretched hand. Over time, conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and arthritis can occur from overuse or joint wear and tear. Carpal tunnel syndrome will typically produce numbness and tingling in the wrist and fingers. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joints in the hand or wrist, most commonly in the base of the thumb. If you are struggling with hand and wrist pain of any sort, our therapists at Break Through in Raleigh-Durham and Fayetteville can help return your pain and symptoms to normal.

Stretches to Help with Hand/Wrist Pain

Many exercises can help with hand and wrist pain. Your physical therapist will guide you on the number of times per day and the amount of time to hold each stretch. The most common stretches that physical therapists recommend include moving the wrist up and/or down and extending the fingers back with your other hand. This will stretch either the top or bottom aspect of the forearm to the tips of the fingers.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Seeing a physical therapist is an integral step in how to help wrist pain. Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough examination to determine what is causing your wrist and hand pain, improve the mobility in the area, and improve muscle strength and function, all so you can get back to using your hand and wrist with as little pain as possible. Physical therapy can help with pain after surgery, from a sprain or strain, or from an injury that developed over time. Make sure to schedule an appointment at BreakThrough so our therapists can help you through your pain!

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Hand & Wrist Physical Therapy Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

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