When your wrists or hands start to hurt, it’s not just annoying, it’s disruptive. Typing, lifting, turning a key, or even pouring the kettle suddenly feels awkward or off-limits. These small joints do a lot of heavy lifting, and when something’s not right, you notice it fast. At Cairnhill Physiotherapy, we provide personalised wrist and hand pain treatment that helps you move more easily, comfortably, and confidently, without it getting in the way of daily life.
Common Causes of Wrist and Hand Pain
The wrist and hand may be small, but they’re biomechanical powerhouses. With a dense network of joints, nerves, tendons and ligaments working in unison, these areas are especially prone to strain, irritation and injury. Identifying the underlying cause is key to providing effective wrist and hand pain treatment.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): RSIs are a leading cause of ongoing wrist and hand pain, particularly in people who perform repetitive tasks or maintain awkward grip positions for long periods. These injuries often develop gradually and may present as discomfort, weakness, or sensitivity during daily activities.
- Arthritis: Arthritis commonly affects hand and wrist joints, especially with age or autoimmune conditions. Osteoarthritis results from long-term wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation across multiple joints.
- Trauma and Injury: Fractures, ligament sprains and tendon injuries can result from falls, sudden twists or impact. Even after the initial healing phase, lingering weakness, pain or stiffness often require focused rehabilitation after wrist injury or hand injury to restore normal function.
- Postural Issues: Sustained poor posture while typing, using tools or resting on the wrists can gradually overload tissues. These issues often build up unnoticed, leading to strain or nerve irritation.
Physiotherapy Services
Conditions We Treat
At Cairnhill Physiotherapy, we treat a wide range of wrist and hand conditions, from the common to the complex. Whether your pain developed suddenly or crept in over time, our team offers expert care tailored to your specific diagnosis and goals.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A common nerve compression condition where the median nerve becomes trapped at the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness, often worse at night or with repeated wrist use. Our wrist physiotherapy targets symptom relief while addressing the root cause of compression.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This condition affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, making gripping and lifting painful. Often linked to overuse, it responds well to a combination of manual therapy, activity modification, and targeted hand physiotherapy.
- Arthritis: Degenerative joint changes in the hand or wrist can lead to stiffness, swelling, and reduced dexterity. Whether it’s osteoarthritis or an inflammatory form like rheumatoid arthritis, our arthritis in hands physiotherapy focuses on joint protection, mobility, and functional independence.
- Tendon and Ligament Injuries: These include sprains, strains, and tears from sports, work, or accidents. We provide progressive rehabilitation to support healing and restore stability.
- Fractures and Dislocations: Once the bone has healed, rehabilitation after wrist injury or hand injury is vital for regaining strength, mobility, and coordination.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries: (RSI) RSIs from tasks like typing or manual labour can lead to chronic discomfort. Our approach combines movement retraining with load management.
- Scar Tissue and Adhesions: Following surgery or injury, we help restore mobility by addressing stiff or adhered soft tissues that restrict movement.
Our Treatment Approach
Every wrist and hand condition is unique, which is why our treatment plans at Cairnhill Physiotherapy are always built around the person, not just the problem. We combine clinical expertise with a holistic approach to support long-term recovery and function.
- Manual Therapy: We use hands-on techniques to reduce joint stiffness, ease muscle tension, and improve circulation in affected tissues.
- Exercise Rehabilitation: A structured programme of progressive exercises helps restore strength, mobility and control, especially important in rehabilitation after wrist injury or hand injury.
- Splinting and Orthotics: For some conditions, temporary support can make all the difference. We offer access to custom splints and orthotics designed to reduce strain and promote healing.
- Acupuncture and Dry Needling: These techniques are used selectively to reduce pain sensitivity and relax overactive muscles, particularly in persistent or overuse-related conditions.
- Ergonomic Advice: We’ll help you identify movement habits or workstation setups that may be contributing to your symptoms. Simple adjustments often result in significant relief.
Whether you’re recovering from trauma, managing arthritis, or dealing with ongoing wrist pain, our goal is to help you move better and feel stronger with lasting results.
Why Choose Cairnhill Physiotherapy?
At Cairnhill Physiotherapy, we combine decades of clinical experience with a patient-first mindset. Our team has over 45 years of combined expertise treating complex wrist and hand conditions, from repetitive strain injuries to post-surgical rehabilitation.
You won’t find one-size-fits-all care here. We take the time to understand your lifestyle, goals and symptoms, and tailor your treatment accordingly. Whether you need splinting, hands-on therapy, or guided strength work, we offer a wide range of services all under one roof.
Our clinic is conveniently located in Epsom, Auckland, making it easy to access high-quality hand and wrist physiotherapy without hassle or delay.
Preventive Tips for Wrist and Hand Health
Preventing wrist pain and hand pain starts with smart, proactive habits that reduce strain and support long-term joint health.
- Regular Breaks: Prolonged repetition and static positions are major contributors to overuse injuries. Taking short, frequent breaks helps offload tendons and nerves, especially during typing, tool use or manual tasks.
- Stretching Exercises: Daily mobility drills for the fingers, wrists and forearms improve tissue flexibility and circulation. These are a valuable addition to any hand physiotherapy or wrist physiotherapy routine, even if you’re currently pain-free.
- Proper Ergonomics: Positioning matters. Keep wrists in a neutral alignment when working, and adjust your workstation to minimise awkward angles and pressure points. This is key for anyone with early symptoms or in postural-related wrist pain treatment.
- Strengthening Work: Building strength through resistance bands, putty or hand grippers enhances load tolerance and stability, especially important in rehabilitation after hand injury or for preventing flare-ups in chronic conditions.
Need Help with Wrist or Hand Pain?
If your wrist or hand pain is interfering with daily life, don’t wait for it to worsen. Book an appointment online with Cairnhill Physiotherapy for expert care that’s tailored to you.
Free carparks
available onsite
Monday - Friday:
7am-6pm
95 Mountain
Road, Epsom