Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture For Hand And Wrist Pain Relief In Belgravia, Notting Hill, Richmond London

Understanding and Alleviating Wrist Pain

Wrist pain is a common ailment that can significantly impact one's daily life and productivity. Whether it stems from overuse, injury, or an underlying medical condition, addressing wrist pain is crucial for maintaining overall well-being.

Common Causes of Wrist Pain:

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): Prolonged and repetitive movements, such as typing, using a computer mouse, or engaging in activities that require repetitive hand and wrist motions, can lead to RSI. This can cause inflammation of the tendons and result in wrist pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition is often associated with activities that involve prolonged wrist flexion or repetitive hand movements.

Sprains and Strains: Accidents, falls, or sudden impacts can cause sprains or strains in the wrist. Ligaments, muscles, or tendons may be stretched or torn, resulting in pain and swelling.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints in the wrist, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the wrist joint, often caused by overuse or sudden increases in physical activity, can result in tendinitis and subsequent pain.

Symptoms of Wrist Pain:

Pain or discomfort in the wrist, ranging from mild to severe.

Swelling and inflammation around the wrist joint.

Stiffness or reduced range of motion.

Weakness in the hand or wrist.

Numbness or tingling, especially in the fingers.

Understanding and Alleviating Hand and Finger Pain

Hand and finger pain can be a debilitating and distressing experience, affecting individuals of all ages and walks of life. Whether it stems from repetitive strain, injuries, arthritis, or other underlying conditions, the discomfort can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life.

Common Causes of Hand and Finger Pain:

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs):

Prolonged, repetitive motions, such as typing, texting, or using a mouse, can lead to RSIs. These injuries affect the tendons, muscles, and nerves, causing pain and discomfort in the hands and fingers.

Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common culprits for hand and finger pain. These inflammatory conditions cause joint stiffness, swelling, and pain, making everyday tasks challenging.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can result in numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and fingers. This syndrome often arises from repetitive hand movements or conditions that cause swelling.

Tendinitis:

Inflammation of the tendons can cause pain in the fingers and hands. This can result from overuse, sudden injuries, or underlying medical conditions.

Injuries:

Accidents, fractures, or sprains can cause acute pain in the hands and fingers. Proper treatment and rehabilitation are crucial for a full recovery.

Risk Factors:

Several factors increase the likelihood of experiencing hand and finger pain:

Occupational Hazards:

Jobs requiring repetitive hand movements or exposure to vibrations can contribute to RSIs.

Age:

The risk of arthritis and other age-related conditions increases with age.

Genetics:

Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to certain conditions that cause hand and finger pain.

Poor Ergonomics:

Incorrect posture or poorly designed workspaces can lead to hand and finger discomfort.

Acupuncture can help relieve wrist, hand and finger pain effectively.

The Muscles Involved in Wrist pain

Wrist pain is a common complaint that can stem from various activities, ranging from typing on a computer to engaging in sports. Understanding the muscles involved in wrist pain is crucial for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Key Muscles Related to Wrist Pain

The wrist is a complex joint supported by numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Key muscles involved in wrist movements and commonly associated with wrist pain include:

Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR): This muscle runs along the inside of the forearm and is responsible for flexing and abducting the wrist.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU): Located on the ulnar side of the forearm, this muscle also aids in flexing the wrist and adducting it towards the ulnar side.

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Brevis (ECRL and ECRB): These muscles extend and abduct the wrist. They are crucial for movements requiring wrist stability.

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU): This muscle extends and adducts the wrist, balancing the actions of the flexor carpi muscles.

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) and Profundus (FDP): These muscles are involved in flexing the fingers and contribute to wrist movement and strength.

Extensor Digitorum (ED): Primarily responsible for extending the fingers, it also assists in extending the wrist.

Understanding De Quervain’s Tendonitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

De Quervain’s tendonitis, also known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. First described by Swiss surgeon Fritz de Quervain in 1895, this condition is common among people who perform repetitive hand or wrist motions, such as lifting, grasping, or twisting.

What Is De Quervain’s Tendonitis?

De Quervain’s tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of the tendons that run through a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. Specifically, it involves two tendons:

The abductor pollicis longus (APL)

The extensor pollicis brevis (EPB)

These tendons are encased in a sheath that allows them to glide smoothly as the thumb moves. Inflammation causes the sheath to swell, which restricts movement and results in pain, especially during thumb or wrist motion.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of De Quervain’s tendonitis is not always clear, but it is generally associated with overuse and repetitive hand or wrist movements. Common contributors include:

Repetitive activities like lifting a baby, typing, gardening, or texting

Injury to the wrist or tendon area, leading to scar tissue

Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

Hormonal changes, particularly in women during or after pregnancy

Women are significantly more likely than men to develop this condition, possibly due to anatomical differences and hormonal influences.

Symptoms

The hallmark symptoms of De Quervain’s tendonitis include:

Pain and tenderness near the base of the thumb

Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist

Difficulty gripping or pinching

A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation when moving the thumb

Increased pain when turning the wrist, grasping objects, or making a fist

A common diagnostic tool is the Finkelstein test, in which the patient makes a fist with the thumb inside the fingers and tilts the wrist downward. Pain during this movement typically indicates De Quervain’s tendonitis.

Prognosis and Prevention

Most people recover fully with proper treatment, especially when the condition is addressed early. However, without treatment, symptoms can worsen and interfere with daily activities.

To prevent De Quervain’s tendonitis:

Avoid repetitive wrist and thumb movements when possible

Take frequent breaks during repetitive tasks

Use ergonomic tools and proper techniques during physical activities

Perform stretching and strengthening exercises for the wrist and hand

Acupuncture can help to reduce inflammation and release the pain.

De Quervain’s tendonitis may seem like a minor inconvenience at first, but it can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated. Early recognition, rest, and appropriate therapy are crucial for recovery.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common and frequently misunderstood nerve disorders. It affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly impair hand and wrist function if left untreated. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CTS, including its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (except the little finger) and also innervates some of the muscles that move the thumb.

The "carpal tunnel" itself is a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. When tissues surrounding the flexor tendons in the wrist swell, they can press on the median nerve, leading to CTS.

Causes and Risk Factors

CTS is often the result of a combination of factors:

Repetitive hand movements: Typing, using a mouse, assembly line work, or frequent use of hand tools can increase risk.

Anatomy: A smaller carpal tunnel can predispose a person to nerve compression.

Health conditions: Diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy (due to fluid retention) can contribute.

Injury: Wrist fractures or sprains may narrow the tunnel and irritate the nerve.

Obesity and aging: Both are known to increase risk.

Symptoms

CTS symptoms usually start gradually and may include:

Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.

Weakness in the hand and difficulty gripping objects.

Pain that may extend from the wrist up the arm or down into the palm and fingers.

Symptoms often worsen at night or with activities that involve wrist flexion or extension.

Acupuncture can help reduce pain and inflammation.