Physiotherapy for Wrist, Hand and Thumb Pain
Wrist and Hand Pain Treatment
Your hands and wrists are involved in almost everything you do, from typing and cooking to training and lifting. When pain, stiffness, or weakness sets in, even simple tasks can become difficult. At SportsHealth Physio, our physiotherapists assess and treat a wide range of wrist and hand conditions at our Richmond and South Yarra clinics.
Whether your pain started gradually from repetitive use or suddenly after an injury, we provide same day appointments so you can get an accurate assessment and start treatment without delay.
Common Wrist and Hand Conditions We Treat
The wrist and hand are complex structures with multiple small joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves working together. Pain in this area can stem from a variety of causes. Our physiotherapists commonly assess and treat the following conditions:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It typically causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and may be worse at night or during repetitive hand activities. It is common among office workers, tradespeople, and anyone performing sustained gripping or typing tasks.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
This condition involves inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain when gripping, pinching, or twisting. It is often associated with repetitive hand and wrist movements and is particularly common in new parents from repeated lifting.
Wrist Sprains and Ligament Injuries
A wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the wrist are stretched or torn, usually from a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty gripping. These injuries are common in sports such as basketball, netball, gymnastics, and cycling.
Tendonitis and Tendinopathy
Overuse or repetitive strain can cause inflammation or degeneration of the tendons in the wrist and hand. This may present as pain during gripping, lifting, or wrist movements, and is common in gym-goers, racquet sport players, and people who perform repetitive manual tasks.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when a tendon in the finger becomes inflamed and catches or locks when you bend it. It can cause pain, stiffness, and a clicking sensation, making it difficult to straighten the affected finger smoothly.
Post-Fracture Rehabilitation
After a wrist or hand fracture (such as a distal radius fracture, scaphoid fracture, or metacarpal fracture), physiotherapy helps restore range of motion, strength, and function once the bone has healed. Rehabilitation is important for returning to full use of the hand.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Repetitive strain injuries develop gradually from sustained or repeated movements, often affecting office workers, musicians, and tradespeople. Symptoms include pain, weakness, numbness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or forearm.
Thumb and Finger Injuries
Injuries to the thumb and fingers, including ligament sprains (such as skier's thumb), joint dislocations, and tendon injuries, are common in sport and manual work. Physiotherapy can help restore movement, strength, and function.
How Physiotherapy May Help
Physiotherapy can play an important role in managing wrist and hand pain, whether your condition is acute, chronic, or post-surgical. Our physiotherapists use a combination of approaches tailored to your specific presentation:
Assessment and Diagnosis
A thorough clinical assessment helps identify the cause of your symptoms and guide treatment. Your physiotherapist examines joint mobility, tendon function, nerve sensitivity, grip strength, and movement patterns to build a clear picture of your condition.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises form a core part of treatment for most wrist and hand conditions. Your program may include tendon loading exercises, nerve gliding techniques, grip strengthening, and range of motion work, all progressed according to your stage of recovery.
Hands-On Treatment
Joint mobilisation and soft tissue techniques can help reduce stiffness, improve range of motion, and ease pain. These techniques are particularly useful for conditions involving joint restriction or muscle tightness in the forearm, wrist, and hand.
Dry Needling
Dry needling may help address muscle tension and trigger points in the forearm and hand that contribute to wrist pain and reduced grip strength. It may be used alongside other physiotherapy treatments to support recovery. Most of our clinicians are certified in dry needling.
Ergonomic and Activity Advice
Understanding how your work setup, training habits, or daily activities contribute to your symptoms is an important part of recovery. We provide practical advice on workstation ergonomics, tool use, training modifications, and load management to help prevent recurrence.
Splinting and Bracing Guidance
For some conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, or post-fracture recovery, a splint or brace may be recommended. Wearing a support can help protect the affected area during recovery. Physiotherapist can advise on the appropriate type and duration of use.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your first appointment includes a comprehensive assessment of your wrist and hand symptoms:
Detailed history: we discuss how your symptoms started, what aggravates or eases them, your work and activity demands, and any relevant medical history.
Physical assessment: your physiotherapist examines joint mobility, tendon integrity, nerve function, grip and pinch strength, and specific diagnostic tests relevant to your presentation.
Treatment: based on the findings, treatment begins in the same session. This may include hands-on therapy, dry needling, taping, or guided exercises.
Home program: you receive a personalised exercise and management plan, including any ergonomic or activity modifications.
Same day appointments are available at both clinics. If your wrist or hand pain is affecting your work or daily life, we aim to see you today.
Who We Help
Wrist and hand pain affects people from all backgrounds. At SportsHealth Physio, we regularly treat:
Office workers with carpal tunnel, RSI, or wrist pain from prolonged computer use
Gym-goers and athletes with wrist sprains, tendinopathy, or grip-related pain from lifting and training
Tradespeople experiencing wrist and hand pain from repetitive manual work
New parents dealing with de Quervain's or thumb pain from lifting and carrying
Older adults with osteoarthritis or stiffness in the hands and wrists
Post-surgical patients recovering from wrist or hand procedures who need guided rehabilitation
We accept private health insurance, WorkCover, TAC, NDIS, and Medicare (with a valid GP referral). Our clinics are open seven days a week.
Convenient Clinic Locations
620 Victoria Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Located in Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, our Richmond clinic services patients from Abbotsford, Hawthorn, Burnley, Collingwood, and East Melbourne.
38-40 Garden Street, South Yarra VIC 3141
Located opposite The Jam Factory, our South Yarra clinic is convenient for patients from Toorak, Prahran, Cremorne, and St Kilda.
Both clinics offer same day appointments and modern treatment facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
-
Wrist pain can develop gradually from repetitive activities such as typing, gripping, or lifting. Common causes include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, and repetitive strain injuries. A physiotherapy assessment can help identify the underlying cause and guide treatment.
-
Carpal tunnel syndrome typically causes numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Symptoms are often worse at night or during activities that involve sustained gripping or wrist flexion. Your physiotherapist can perform specific tests to help determine whether carpal tunnel syndrome is the likely cause of your symptoms.
-
A wrist brace or splint can be helpful for certain conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or de Quervain's tenosynovitis, particularly at night or during aggravating activities. However, bracing alone is rarely a complete solution. Your physiotherapist can advise on whether a brace is appropriate for your condition and how long to use it.
-
Physiotherapy can help manage mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome through nerve gliding exercises, wrist mobilisation, splinting guidance, and ergonomic advice. For more severe cases, your physiotherapist may recommend referral to a specialist for further assessment.
-
Recovery from wrist tendonitis varies depending on the severity and how long the condition has been present. Acute cases may improve within 4 to 6 weeks with appropriate management, while chronic tendinopathy may take several months. Consistent adherence to your exercise program and activity modifications is important for recovery.
-
You should seek medical attention if you have severe pain after a fall or impact, visible deformity, inability to move the wrist, significant swelling, or numbness that does not resolve. Your physiotherapist can also refer you to a GP or specialist if your symptoms suggest a condition requiring further investigation or imaging.
-
Yes. Prolonged computer use, poor workstation setup, and repetitive mouse or keyboard use are common contributors to wrist and hand pain in office workers. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, RSI, and wrist tendonitis are frequently seen in this population. Ergonomic modifications and targeted exercises can help manage and prevent symptoms.
-
In many cases, you can continue exercising with modifications. Your physiotherapist can advise on which activities to continue, which to modify, and which to avoid temporarily. For gym-goers, this may include adjusting grip positions, reducing load, or using wrist wraps during certain exercises.
-
No referral is needed to see a physiotherapist in Australia. You can book directly with our team. If claiming through Medicare, WorkCover, TAC, or NDIS, a referral or care plan from your GP may be required.
-
Yes. We offer same day appointments at both our Richmond and South Yarra clinics. Call us on (03) 8395 4050 or book online.