Hand Injuries
From working and cooking to texting and gaming, your hands are essential to everything you do. When you experience pain or injury in your hands, however, even the smallest of tasks can become frustrating or impossible.
Common Causes of Hand Pain
There are many types of hand injuries, but most fall into three categories:
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs): These often stem from overuse—think office workers using a mouse all day, gamers dealing with “gamer’s thumb,” or factory workers on an assembly line. Over time, these motions create adhesions in the soft tissues that restrict movement and trigger discomfort.
- Strain/sprain injuries: These typically occur from trauma, even something mild, like jamming a finger or falling on your hand. They often resolve quickly, but if pain lingers beyond a week, it’s a good idea to get it checked before it becomes chronic.
- Arthritis: The most common type is osteoarthritis (OA), which causes stiff, swollen, and achy joints, especially in the morning. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by contrast, is a systemic condition that usually requires medical management from a rheumatologist.
How We Help
For repetitive strain injuries, Dr. Gleeson uses the Muscle Release Technique (MRT) to target the adhesions caused by repetitive tasks. MRT is designed to break up tightness in the soft tissue and restore motion. If a joint is involved—as with strains or sprains—he may also gently adjust the affected joint and work on the surrounding soft tissues to speed up healing.
For patients with OA, Dr. Gleeson has found that working on the joint capsule itself with MRT can often bring meaningful relief, even if the underlying condition can’t be reversed.
Why Early Care Matters
Hand injuries that aren’t addressed quickly can lead to long-term issues like chronic pain or reduced grip strength. That’s why Dr. Gleeson recommends an early evaluation to help prevent setbacks and support full recovery.
Book a Visit Today
Hand discomfort can get in the way of work, hobbies, and everyday life. Dr. Gleeson is here to help you feel better and stay active, starting today. Contact Outback Chiropractic Clinic to schedule your appointment!
