Forearm Pain Treatment
Treating your forehand pain or injury is very important as this area positions your wrists and hands to perform daily tasks. The forearm has two long bones, called the radius and ulna, which rotate in such a way to allow the hand to move from a palm up to a palm down position. This is needed when typing, writing and holding objects in our hands. All of the muscles in the wrist and most of the muscles for our hand begin in the forearm. There are only three nerves that are found in our hand, all of which travel through muscles in our forearm on their pathway to the hand.
What causes pain in the forearm?
The main causes of forearm pain revolve around the relationship of the nerves and muscles. The three nerves found in the forearm (radial nerve, ulnar nerve and median nerve) start in our neck and travel through specific pathways to the hand. At times they travel through tunnels that are a part of soft tissue close to the skin and sometimes the tunnels are actually through muscles themselves. When the muscles grow in size, which can occur after an injury of the elbow/forearm/wrist, they put pressure down on the nerve itself.
Why does my pain travel up or down my forearm and not stay in one place?
When a nerve is in distress it typically sends pain signals above and below the area of injury. This is called radiating or referred pain. In a wrist injury, signals are sent up the front, back, and inside of your forearm. Pain can also begin at the elbow and then travel down your forearm toward your wrist.
What is the treatment for forearm pain?
The treatment for forearm pain begins with an evaluation by a skilled Armworks Occupational or Physical Therapist that specializes in treatment of the elbow, wrist, and hand to identify the injury that is the source of the pain.
Your therapy will involve techniques designed to relax the muscles in your forearm, get the nerves calmed down, and to educate you on ways to prevent this from returning. We may recommend a custom orthosis or splint for your wrist since all of the wrist muscles are found in the forearm too. The final step of treatment is to restore lost strength so you can get back to doing the things you want to at work, home and play.
Why should I come to Armworks Hand Therapy?
The successful treatment of forearm/wrist injuries requires two important criteria: An occupational therapist or physical therapist that specializes in treating forearm injuries and a willingly participating patient. All providers at Armworks Hand Therapy specialize in the treatment of the elbow, wrist, and hand and are committed to your successful recovery.