Pain in back of the hand: Causes and treatments

Hand pain, especially in the back of the hand, can be perplexing and uncomfortable. Many people who experience this kind of pain do not know why they are in pain until they receive professional care. The back of the hand is a complex region containing many muscles, bones and joints. Issues in any part of the region can lead to pain in the back of the hand. To further complicate things, injuries and other conditions affecting the wrist can also lead to hand pain. When you feel pain in the back of your hand, it could be the result of many different underlying causes. Seeking care immediately can help ensure that you discover the source of your discomfort. 

Once you understand your condition, you can look for treatments geared toward that condition. Physical therapy is often a great source of effective treatment when it comes to pain relief. Want to learn more about how physical therapy could benefit you? Discovering the different conditions it helps address can reveal the advantages of specialized physical therapy care.

Common causes of pain in the back of the hand

• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons. Your hand has over 100 tendons and ligaments. When any of the tendons throughout your hand become inflamed, it can lead to pain in the back of the hand. In addition to pain, you may experience stiffness, swelling and tenderness. Tendons play an important role in keeping the hand functioning. They primarily keep your muscles and bones connected, which helps enable everything to work together. When you have tendinitis, the associated swelling and stiffness might limit your hand’s range of motion. Actions like extending your fingers may feel more difficult than before. Tendinitis has a few common causes including overuse and injury. If you have tendinitis, physical therapy can help. Many physical therapy techniques are designed to alleviate inflammation in different regions. By addressing tendinitis symptoms at the source, you can experience lasting relief.
• Injury — Have you recently experienced a hand or wrist injury? If so, it could be the cause of your pain in the back of the hand. With minor injuries, pain often diminishes over time. You may experience acute pain for hours or days before it fades. In these cases, rest is important. For more significant injuries, though, rest may not be sufficient. An injury like a major bone fracture can cause persistent pain for an extended period if left untreated. A physical therapist can help guide you through the right steps to ensure you make a full recovery. Targeted pain management techniques can help you stay comfortable while your hand heals.
• Arthritis — Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness around the joints that are inflamed. People with arthritis in their hands tend to experience joint pain in their fingers and wrists. To address this pain, your physical therapist can guide you through different pain management strategies. One of the most effective PT techniques for arthritis is exercise. With targeted hand exercises, you can help improve your joint function and relieve your pain.

Effective treatments for pain in back of the hand

• Consistent rest — Feeling pain in the back of the hand typically means you should let that hand rest. Overuse is a common cause of hand pain. When resting your hand after overuse or injury, consistency is key. Your physical therapist can help recommend good resting positions to reduce strain and promote healing.
• Hand exercises — Hand exercises can be a great way to improve your strength and flexibility. When you are experiencing pain in the back of the hand, these exercises can also help you find relief. You can work with your physical therapist to develop an exercise plan designed to optimize your recovery.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is a hands-on form of physical therapy. With manual therapy, physical therapists use gentle pressure and a range of controlled motions to help patients recover. Certain manual therapy techniques work to increase blood circulation. Improved circulation means nutrients can get to the places where they are needed, which can lead to a faster healing time.

SSOR can help treat the pain in the back of your hand

Pain in the back of the hand can have a big impact on your life. Fortunately, help is available. At SSOR (Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation), our team is equipped with top-notch tools and techniques for pain relief. Working with one of our licensed physical therapists, you can look forward to recovery.

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