Are you experiencing hand or arm pain? There are many possible causes for this and almost all of them can be addressed through chiropractic treatment and ancillary therapies offered at our clinic. It’s true that the source of the pain may be at the area the pain is felt in, but it may be more complicated. In fact, many times pain in the arm or hand may originate in the shoulder, neck, or upper back.
To be able to correctly diagnose the source of hand or arm pain a full examination of the neck and back as well as the arms and hands must be completed. While visiting our clinic you will receive an examination including neurologic, orthopedic, and chiropractic portions, as well as a general evaluation of the areas of complaint. When present we are able to correctly identify if involvement of the spine, be it the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) region. Sometimes the arm or hand pain manifests after prolonged pain or dysfunction in the back or neck. When hand and/or arm pain results from an initial complaint of upper back or neck pain chiropractic care may be the best option for treatment.
There are particular habits that are common among those with hand or arm pain. Here is a short list.
- Sleeping position- The recommendation is to sleep on one’s back or in a side-lying position. Stomach sleeping can be the cause (or an exacerbating issue) of pain in the neck or down to the arms or hands. An evaluation of a neck pillow should be done to ensure the proper support for the preferred sleeping position.
- Posture- Improper sitting or standing posture may be another cause of pain, especially when a certain position is required for an extended period of time, such as a desk job. A postural evaluation can be performed to identify the issues and to provide corrective advice.
- Breathing- Many times improper breathing accompanies hand and arm pain. Panic attacks or anxiety is another condition that can accompany arm pain. If you have a history of arm pain and anxiety of panic attacks your breathing technique not be optimal.
In addition to chiropractic treatment, home care is an essential part of correcting the pain. To be able to avoid recurrence of pain correction of habits must be made. Home care exercises focused on improving functionality can help to change those imperfect habits and allow for strengthening of the body. Most of the home care that is beneficial for this type of pain is focused on upper back exercises.
To schedule an appointment with our office call 801-810-4144. We have offices in Draper,Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah.
