Wrist pain may be the most noticeable symptom of wrist tendinitis, but it’s not the only one. Wrist tendinitis can also cause swelling, redness, weakness and a grinding or creaking sensation in the wrist. Pain, swelling and tenderness are all signs of inflammation. There are some ways you can manage inflammation at home, such as heat and cold therapy, compression and elevation. A physical therapist can also provide treatments that help. PT techniques help relieve inflammation by improving circulation, stimulating your body’s healing response and promoting movement and flexibility in stiff tissue.
In this article, we’ll talk about seven physical therapy techniques that can help relieve inflammation caused by wrist tendinitis.
7 physical therapy solutions for relief from inflammation caused by wrist tendinitis
Relieving pain and swelling from inflammation is an important part of the healing process for wrist tendinitis. These strategies help during the initial period of rest. They also help manage symptoms after treatments and exercises as you recover your range of motion and rehabilitate. Your PT can also help you make your wrists more resilient and plan to prevent reinjury. If certain activities aggravate your pain, they can help you find alternative ways to reduce the strain on your wrist.
To care for your wrist at home, you should avoid activities that make your pain worse. Elevating your wrist and compressing the area by wrapping your wrist in an Ace bandage can also help. You might experiment with heat and cold therapy by applying a warm compress for 20 minutes and alternating with an ice pack for 20 minutes.
The following are techniques that physical therapists use to help relieve inflammation caused by wrist tendinitis:
- Manual therapy techniques — In manual therapy techniques for wrist tendinitis, the PT uses their hands to manipulate soft tissue with massage-like movements. This can help release tension in the forearm muscles and tendons of the wrist, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation.
- Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization is a type of manual therapy that focuses on restoring healthy movement in stiff joints. The therapist will apply pressure to different parts of the wrist joint while manipulating it to help reduce pain and improve function.
- Therapeutic stretching — Therapeutic stretching can help restore flexibility in the fibers of the wrist tendons and surrounding muscles, supporting the body’s natural healing process. Wrist flexion and extension exercises may be particularly helpful.
- Therapeutic exercise — Therapeutic exercises can help you recover range of motion, control and strength in your wrist. You may start with isometric exercises, which engage the muscles without any movement. For chronic cases of wrist tendinitis, your PT may incorporate eccentric exercises to help build muscle mass. These are exercises that lengthen the muscles while they’re actively contracting. You might use your other hand to create resistance while raising and lowering your affected arm.
- The Graston Technique — The Graston Technique is like manual therapy, but the PT uses a set of stainless steel tools. The concentrated pressure allows them to locate stiffness and scar tissue in the wrist tendons and stretch these areas to help release tension and promote movement.
- Dry needling — Dry needling is another method of releasing tension and restriction deep inside tissue in the wrist. The stimulation is also thought to trigger the body’s healing response.
- Ergonomic training and adjustment — If certain activities at work or at home are exacerbating your wrist pain, your PT may be able to analyze what’s happening. Then they can suggest some adjustments you can make or tools you can use to take the pressure off your wrist.
Try physical therapy for wrist tendinitis at Forever Fit
Wrist tendinitis is a condition that can get worse when left untreated, especially if you don’t take enough time to rest. Getting treatment early on can help reduce your overall recovery time and lead to better treatment outcomes. Working with a PT can help you manage pain and swelling, promote healing, and strengthen your wrists. You may learn some new techniques to protect and support your wrists during activities at home or at work, too.
Physical therapy treatments for wrist tendinitis are most effective when they’re personalized to suit your condition, your body and your life. At Forever Fit, we specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions like wrist tendinitis. We take the time to listen to our patients’ concerns and understand what they’re experiencing so we can provide the most effective therapies. We offer most of the above treatments at our locations. For dry needling, book an appointment at our Rockville location.
Are you ready to find relief from wrist tendinitis? We can help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.