Have you recently noticed a nagging pain in your wrist every time you bend it? You’re one of about 10% of people in the U.S. dealing with nonspecific hand and wrist pain. There are a few different causes of this type of pain, including tendinitis, osteoarthritis, traumatic injury and more. If you haven’t yet identified the cause of your wrist pain, you should consider visiting with a physical therapist who can help. They can identify the root of your pain and even address the factors that make you more likely to develop pain when you bend your wrist. To get a general idea of the most common factors, read on.

Who is most likely to develop pain when bending their wrist, and why?

You may be interested to know that there are a few types of people who are more likely to develop pain when bending their wrists. You can learn more about what makes some people more likely to develop wrist pain than others below:

• Those who are over 40 years of age — Adults who are 40 years old and over have a higher chance of developing pain when bending their wrists. They’re more likely to experience the effects of wear and tear or to develop conditions that cause this type of pain, like osteoarthritis.

• Those who have a history of tendon injuries — People who have a history of injuries to the wrist or to the tendons in the wrist are also at a higher risk of developing pain when they bend their wrist. If you’re experiencing pain when bending your wrist, it could be linked to an old injury that never properly healed.

• Those who work at jobs where they perform repetitive motions — People who work at jobs where they have to perform repetitive wrist and hand movements are likely to develop this type of pain. Wrist pain can develop as a result of overuse, so holding an occupation like hairstylist, baker and typist can increase your odds.

• Those with certain types of health conditions — Certain health conditions, like diabetes, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, can also increase your chances of experiencing wrist pain. These health conditions can cause problems with the joints and nerves, which can affect your wrists.

What are some physical therapy exercises to help with pain when bending the wrists?

There are a variety of physical therapy exercises that can be used during treatment sessions. Here are two exercises designed to either stretch or strengthen the tissue around the wrist to decrease pain when bending it:

• Clenched fist raises — Clenched fist raises are designed to be easy to perform anywhere and stretch the muscles in your wrists. To perform this exercise, sit down with your forearms touching the tops of your legs. Keep your palms open and facing the ceiling, and then slowly close them into fists. While keeping forearms on your legs, raise your fists up and toward your abdomen slowly and then lower them back down.

• Tennis ball squeeze — The tennis ball squeeze is another exercise that’s designed to help with pain when bending your wrist. This exercise is super simple. To perform it, all you need to do is grip a tennis ball and squeeze it for a few seconds at a time. This movement should help strengthen the muscles in your wrist and help reduce pain over time.

To learn more about other modalities that could be used during PT, read here.

Let Lattimore PT help improve your pain when you bend your wrist 

Lattimore Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Network started in 1992. John and Cindy Shuman, husband and wife, first launched their own physical therapy practice intending to improve the quality of life of each community member. Since 1992, Lattimore PT has opened nearly 30 different locations across New York.

Our team of talented physical therapists across the state is dedicated to understanding the best treatment for you. We specialize in taking a “hands-on,” interactive approach with each of our patients to provide them with the best care possible. Each physical therapist at our Lattimore locations takes pride in their work and does their best to come to the clinic each day smiling. We aim to make each physical therapy session enjoyable yet productive. The ultimate mark of success is a patient who feels positively impacted by our work. Are you ready to experience “the Lattimore way”?

We’re more than qualified to help you improve the health and functionality of your wrists. We treat various conditions and patients with unique circumstances, including pain that occurs when bending the wrist. You’re not just another chart when you come to visit us. You’re a patient deserving help. Let us be the ones to give you the help you need to improve the health of your wrists.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.