Hand & Wrist Pain Specialist NYC

Hand & Wrist Pain Specialist NYC2024-10-25T12:16:56+00:00

Integrative Spine & Sports provides treatment for hand and wrist pain at our Upper West Side practice dedicated to spine and sports medicine.

Top-Rated Hand & Wrist Pain Doctors In Manhattan

Integrative Spine & Sports employs a multidisciplinary approach when addressing the debilitating and painful symptoms of hand and wrist pain. Our medical interventions may include a combination of traditional and innovative medical procedures, state-of-the-art technologies, physical therapy modalities, and therapeutic exercise regimens. Here, we describe the most frequently occurring symptoms associated with hand and wrist pain and the treatment methods our specialists use to maximize outcomes for patients.

Hand & Wrist Pain Treatment

We offer a breadth of nonsurgical therapies for conditions that affect the tendons, muscles, nerves, bones, and soft tissues in the hand and wrist. With a focus on the root causes of acute and chronic pain, our integrative, holistic treatment plans are designed to reduce pain and inflammation, and improve mobility, strength, and flexibility; they may include one or more of the following:

Hand & Wrist Pain Specialists

Integrative Spine & Sports’ primary objective is to efficiently and effectively resolve debilitating symptoms associated with acute injury-related pain and chronic conditions affecting the muscles, soft tissue, bones, and nerves within the hand and wrist. Our integrative team of board-certified specialists consists of a physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists who collaborate in the creation and application of customized, comprehensive treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. We implement state-of-the-art technologies and provide to our patients both traditional and cutting-edge medical procedures, physical therapy modalities, and therapeutic exercise regimens to treat their pain and injuries.

Hand & Wrist Pain Conditions We Treat

Integrative Spine & Sports offers a nonsurgical approach to the treatment of hand and wrist pain for the following conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

  • Finger Sprains and Strains

  • Flexor/Extensor Tendonitis

  • Flexor/Extensor Tendonosis

  • Ganglion Cysts

  • Repetitive Strain Injuries

  • Trigger Finger

  • Wrist Sprains and Strains

Signs and Symptoms of Hand & Wrist Pain

Most hand and wrist injuries are caused by misuse or overuse. They can be as minor as strains (muscle tears) and sprains (ligament tears) or as major as fractures. Listed below are the causes of injury-related hand and wrist pain.

  • Sprains and strains
  • Dislocation
  • Fracture
  • Wear-and-tear
  • Disease

With proper treatment and enough rest, these most commonly associated symptoms should gradually disappear:

  • Pain and discomfort in the hand and wrist region
  • Decreased hand and wrist mobility
  • Swelling, stiffness, redness, and warmth in the hand and wrist area
  • Difficulty lifting objects
  • A catching or grinding sensation in the hand and wrist joint

Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain?

A strain occurs when a muscle is torn, while a tear in a ligament is called a sprain. These injuries are typically identified by common symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty using the hand and wrist; muscle spasms and cramping may also occur.
Pain from sprains and strains often subsides within a period of two to 14 days. Consult a doctor immediately if pain persists beyond two weeks or becomes unmanageable.
Sudden impacts such as falls or motor vehicle accidents can knock a bone in the hand or wrist out of place, thereby dislocating it. When extreme pain or an obvious distortion of the hand or wrist joint presents, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
When a bone in the hand or wrist breaks, it is called a fracture. Fractures can result from sudden blows (such as those sustained in contact sports), car accidents, or falls. If left untreated, fractures can severely impair hand mobility and potentially lead to permanent disability. Immediate medical attention is crucial to properly treat fractures and prevent infection.
Over time, repeated or improper use of the hand and wrist can cause microscopic damage that leads to wear-and-tear injuries. Common examples of misuse include:

  • Repetitive movements
  • Awkward hand / wrist positioning during daily tasks
  • Prolonged lifting, gripping, or pinching

Any of these actions can result in wear-and-tear injuries if not performed with care. Individuals who engage in heavy striking movements—such as blacksmiths, fighters, and athletes—are particularly susceptible. However, even lighter repetitive motions can be problematic; for instance, chefs may develop significant wear-and-tear issues from repetitive knife work and whisking, and percussionists may suffer due to intense drumming sessions.
The risk of injury increases with prolonged, repetitive, or improper use, especially without proper maintenance. Preventative measures and consistent treatments can be essential to counteract wear-and-tear, delaying or preventing not only short-term pain, but also debilitating long-term effects.

Please reference below for a list of diseases known to cause varying degrees of hand and wrist pain.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Lyme disease

In many cases, hand and wrist pain serve as early indicators, helping patients identify these conditions before they worsen. (Please note: these diseases often present with additional symptoms, enabling a more accurate diagnosis.)

If left untreated or if improperly treated, certain hand and wrist diseases can severely impair function and mobility; to prevent the risk of this and to minimize pain, consult with a doctor immediately and seek prompt treatment. These diseases include:

  • Flexor / Extensor Tendonitis
  • Flexor / Extensor Tendonosis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ganglion Cysts

Hand & Wrist pain FAQs

How do I stop my wrist from hurting when I lift?2022-09-22T14:04:29+00:00

If hand and wrist pain is a common problem when lifting weights, try reducing the weight to a manageable number and work up from there. It can also be helpful to change up one’s exercise program. Focus on exercises that put less strain on the wrists and isolate the muscles that need working out. Doing negative reps also help a lot. To prevent wrist pain from even occurring during lifting, it’s a good idea to strengthen the forearm muscles using small weights or resistance bands. We also recommend being extra careful by maintaining proper form at all times.

What causes hand and wrist pain without injury?2022-09-22T14:04:39+00:00

Sometimes, injury can be invisible, like what happens in cases of hand and wrist osteoarthritis. Conditions like these are caused by wear-and-tear resulting from hand and wrist overuse/misuse (e.g., too much heavy lifting, repetitive movements) and even aging.

Does acupuncture cure hand and wrist pain?2022-09-22T14:04:52+00:00

Acupuncture provides long-term relief for both acute and chronic hand and wrist pain such as in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. It helps relieve hand and wrist pain by reducing inflammation. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with hand and wrist pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief. Because of its low-risk, low-side effect nature of treatment, acupuncture is something patients should consider before having more invasive procedures like surgery.

How long does hand and wrist pain last?2022-09-22T14:05:03+00:00

Hand and wrist sprains/strains usually last between 2 to 10 weeks. The severity of the pain is usually telling of how long it will last – the more painful the injury, the longer it will last. In some cases, patients are unable to even press keys on their keyboard or pick up pens. In serious cases such as these, immediate medical attention is required. Home remedies like gentle stretches, heat therapy, and cold therapy help alleviate the pain, but we recommend consulting a physiatrist for faster results.

How do I know if my hand or wrist pain is serious?2022-09-22T14:05:09+00:00

Most cases of hand and wrist pain (which are often results of sprains/strains) subside naturally after a period of 2 days to 2 weeks. However, if the pain gets worse or persists after the 2-week mark, seek immediate medical attention. Sometimes, hand and wrist pain is merely a symptom of a more serious or underlying condition, so pay attention to other symptoms that accompany the pain.

What is a natural remedy for hand or wrist pain?2022-09-22T14:05:16+00:00

Natural remedies for acute hand and wrist pain are rest, ice, heat, and gentle stretching. Some people recover completely by just resting, but it’s possible to speed up the process by applying ice and heat to the affected area. If these don’t work after 2 weeks, or if the pain worsens, seek immediate medical assistance.

What can I do to relieve my hand or wrist pain?2022-09-22T14:05:41+00:00

To relieve hand and wrist pain, doing some gentle hand and wrist stretches can help. It’s best to do these stretches once swelling (if any) subsides. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your hand and wrist pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid hand and wrist pain in the future.

How should I sleep with hand or wrist pain?2022-09-22T14:05:47+00:00

Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back helps ensure that the hand and wrists aren’t assuming awkward positions that could aggravate the pain. It also helps to unclench the fingers and lay the hands out to prevent the wrists from twisting or bending. Hanging the hand over the side of the bed can also help stretch out the wrist ligaments, reducing pain overnight.

Does Coronavirus (COVID-19) cause hand or wrist pain?2022-09-22T14:05:53+00:00

Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience joint pain, sometimes in the knees and hand and wrists. But this isn’t very common. Symptoms to watch out for are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. If the hand and wrist pain gets worse or persists for longer than 2 weeks, consult your doctor.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

Conditions Treated

We treat individuals suffering from a variety of acute injuries as well as chronic conditions.

Services & Treatments

Our focus is on promoting healing, restoring function and alleviating pain for patients.

Book an Appointment

We offer two convenient locations for patients: the Upper West Side or Madison Avenue.

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