Hand and wrist pain can make everyday life surprisingly hard — typing, lifting, cooking, childcare, sports, or even turning a key. Since 2001, Osteopathy London has helped people across Central & East London recover quickly, move better, and get back to what they love with clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and targeted rehab.
Does this describe you?
- Pain in your wrist when typing, gripping, lifting or twisting
- Aching in the hand or thumb after long periods at a keyboard, phone, or during childcare
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers (possible carpal tunnel or nerve irritation)
- Weak grip or dropping objects unexpectedly
- Painful swelling or stiffness after a sprain or repetitive strain injury
- Clicking or locking in the thumb or fingers (trigger finger symptoms)
- Hand or wrist pain that lingers despite rest, splints, or self-help advice
What factors can lead to hand & wrist pain?
Problems rarely come from one single event. They usually build when load exceeds capacity:
- Repetitive typing, mouse or phone use
- Sudden increases in load from DIY, gardening, gym or childcare
- Falls or impacts causing sprains, fractures or soft tissue injuries
- Poor desk or workstation ergonomics leading to repetitive strain
- Weakness in shoulder, arm or grip muscles placing excess stress on the wrist and hand
- Stress and poor sleep increasing pain sensitivity and slowing recovery
What causes hand & wrist pain?
Causes are individual. Here are the common conditions we see and treat:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – tingling, numbness or pain in thumb, index, middle fingers, worse at night or with typing
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – pain along the thumb side of the wrist, common in new parents and with repetitive lifting
- Wrist Sprain or Instability – pain, swelling and weakness after falls or twists
- Trigger Finger / Thumb – painful locking, catching or clicking when moving a finger or thumb
- Tendinopathy or Tenosynovitis – overuse-related tendon pain in the wrist or hand
- Arthritis (Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid) – stiffness, swelling and reduced hand movement
- Referred pain from neck or elbow – nerve irritation or muscle imbalance mimicking hand/wrist pain
Your Path to Lasting Relief: Osteopathy London's 3-Part Hand & Wrist Pain Programme
1. Your New Patient Appointment.
Case History
We’ll explore when your pain started, how it behaves, your work and hobbies, repetitive tasks, falls or trauma, and any medical background. This helps us identify whether the source is tendon, joint, nerve, or referred from elsewhere.
Physical Examination
We’ll assess wrist and hand movement, grip strength, tendon loading, swelling, joint stability, and nerve involvement. We’ll also check neck, shoulder and elbow mechanics if relevant.
Your Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
We’ll explain what’s driving your pain and agree a plan that fits your aims and diary — usually combining hands-on care, activity modification, and staged rehab.
2. Hands-on treatment for hand & wrist pain
At your first visit (and follow-ups) you’ll receive tailored treatment to reduce pain and restore easier movement:
- Joint mobilisation for the wrist, hand and (if needed) elbow or shoulder
- Soft-tissue techniques for overloaded tendons and surrounding muscles
- Joint Manipulation where appropriate in which osteopaths may use techniques that create a "pop" from a quick opening of the joint. This can relax the muscles around the joint and improve mobility.
- Medical acupuncture (if appropriate and you’d like it) to reduce pain and tension
- Splints, taping or supports if needed in the early stages for comfort and protection
- Immediate advice on desk set-up, keyboard/mouse use, or safe activity modification
3. Breaking the cycle with rehab & prevention
Hand and wrist problems respond best to progressive loading and smarter habits. We’ll build a plan that grows with you:
Exercise programme:
Isometrics (muscle contraction without movement) for tendon pain
Grip and forearm strengthening
Stretching and mobility for wrist, hand and forearm
Functional progressions for sport, gym or work tasks
Ergonomic adjustments: workstation set-up, mouse/keyboard alternatives, pacing strategies
Shoulder and postural integration: improving support from higher up the chain to offload the wrist
Return-to-activity roadmap: staged return to typing, lifting, sport or music with clear guardrails
This combination speeds short-term relief and builds long-term resilience so you can work, train and live with confidence.
Common Questions About Hand & Wrist Pain?
Ready for Relief? Book Your Appointment
Osteopaths are experts in diagnosing and treating hand and wrist pain. Click below to book your first step towards relief — or arrange a free 15-minute chat with John if you’re unsure.
Osteopathy London's Osteopaths with expertise in hand & wrist pain treatment
John (Clinic Director)
John provides Osteopathy, Cranial & Baby Osteopathy, and Medical Acupuncture
Read more.
Gervais (Osteopath)
Gervais provides Osteopathy, Cranial Osteopathy, and Medical Acupuncture.
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Osteopathy London, 31 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, East London E2 0HU
© John Mallinder