Hand pain is more than just an annoyance—hand pain can make everyday tasks difficult. Whether it's from an injury, arthritis, or a chronic condition, finding relief is important. "Beyond pain relief, addressing the underlying cause(s) of hand pain is important," says Gregg A. Vagner, MD, ARC Orthopedics. "Left untreated, hand pain may lead to persistent discomfort, reduced mobility, and even permanent nerve damage or muscle atrophy."
Simple ways to reduce hand pain and improve mobility
- Exercise and stretch to keep your hands flexible: Gentle stretching and hand exercises can help reduce cramps, improve blood flow, and relax tight tissue. Try slowly making a fist and then spreading your fingers wide. These movements can help if your pain is caused by repetitive movement, age-related changes, or even carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Massage the affected muscles: A massage helps release tension and relax tight muscles. Gently rub the palm, wrist, and fingers to ease pain from trigger finger or edema. Massaging the area also helps with relaxing the affected muscles after prolonged activities.
- Medication can offer fast relief: Over-the-counter pain relief medicine, like ibuprofen, can help reduce inflammation and pain. Some people also use a cream to ease discomfort in the wrist, palm, or fingers. Talk to your doctor or advanced practice clinician (APC) to find what works best for you.
- Take breaks to prevent injury: Using your hands a lot, like typing or gripping tools, can lead to stress, injury, or the worsening of chronic conditions. Take breaks often to reduce pain and prevent injury. Stretch or shake out your hands every 30–60 minutes during repetitive movement tasks.
- Try cold and hot compresses: A cold pack helps with swelling and edema, while a warm compress relaxes tight muscles and increases blood flow. Both can help ease pain and reduce stiffness in the wrist, palm, or fingers.
- Use a splint or brace for support: A splint or brace helps stabilize the area, restrict movement, and support the hand while it heals. These are helpful for conditions like carpal tunnel, trigger finger, or after a trauma-related injury. Your orthopedic doctor or APC can help you choose the right type of support.
If hand pain is keeping you from doing what you love, talk to an orthopedic specialist. "The right treatment and early diagnosis can bring pain relief and help prevent injury," says Dr. Vagner. "The good news? Most hand pain can be treated—relief is within your grasp!"
Learn more about hand care at ARC.
About Dr. Vagner
Dr. Vagner specializes in hand care, arm and elbow care, and adult and pediatric orthopedic care. He is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery with a Certificate of Added Qualification for Hand Surgery and has a Fellowship in Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular from University of Utah. Dr. Vagner sees patients ages six and older at multiple locations.
Make an appointment today
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Vagner through ARC MyChart or by calling: