A finger that catches or locks, an ache at the base of your thumb, a wrist that is stiff and weak after a cast. Your hands do almost everything, and many hand and wrist problems improve with the right exercise and a few simple changes.
Yes, physical therapy can help many common hand and wrist problems. Exercise is strongly recommended for hand and thumb arthritis by the American College of Rheumatology, and therapy is a usual part of recovery after a wrist fracture. For tendon problems like trigger finger and thumb-side wrist pain, many people improve with activity changes, the right exercises and, when it fits, a brace or splint, while some also need an injection or a procedure from their doctor. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Does this sound like you?
✓A finger or thumb that catches, clicks or locks when you bend it
✓Pain on the thumb side of the wrist when you lift, grip or pick up a child
✓An ache at the base of the thumb when you pinch, open jars or turn keys
✓A wrist that is still stiff, weak or sore after a sprain, fracture or cast
✓Numbness or tingling in the fingers, often worse at night
✓Hand or wrist pain that builds up with typing, tools or repetitive work
Common hand and wrist problems
Small joints and tendons do a lot of work in the hand and wrist, and a few problems are especially common:
Trigger finger happens when a finger tendon can't glide smoothly through its tunnel, so the finger catches or locks.
De Quervain's is irritation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It often hurts with lifting, gripping and repeated thumb movement, and it is common in new parents.
Thumb arthritis at the base of the thumb causes aching with pinching and gripping, and is common as we get older.
Wrist sprains and fractures often happen in a fall on an outstretched hand. After the bone or ligament heals, stiffness and weakness are common.
Overuse tendon pain can build up from typing, tools or repetitive work.
The goal is to calm irritated tendons and joints, then rebuild motion, strength and grip so your hand can handle daily life and work again. That usually means the right exercises at the right dose, plus changes to how you grip, lift and set up your work. After a fracture, gentle, steady work to restore motion and strength is a big part of getting full use back. Your therapist can also advise you on whether an off-the-shelf brace or splint may help, and when it's time to ease off it.
What treatment at ARI looks like
1
A one-on-one evaluation
Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We check motion, strength, grip and sensation in your hand, wrist and arm, look at the neck when symptoms travel, and ask which tasks at home and work are hardest.
2
Motion, strength and grip
Hands-on treatment for stiff joints, tendon-gliding and motion exercises, and progressive strengthening for the hand, wrist and forearm, adjusted so things improve without flaring up.
3
Easier on your hands
Simple changes to how you grip, lift, type and use tools, advice on whether a brace may help, and a home program to keep the gains going.
No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor promptly if you have:
Wrist pain after a fall, especially on the thumb side or with swelling or a crooked look, which can be a fracture even if it seems like a sprain
A finger you suddenly can't bend or straighten after a cut, a jam or a pop, which can be a tendon injury
A red, hot, swollen finger or hand, a bite or puncture wound, or fever, which can be an infection and needs prompt care
Sudden numbness or weakness in the hand with face drooping, trouble speaking or weakness on one side, which needs emergency care
Constant numbness, or wasting of the muscle at the base of the thumb
Why patients choose ARI
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Hand and wrist therapy FAQs
It can help, especially for milder cases. Activity changes, a splint and gentle exercises are often tried first. Some people also need a steroid injection or a minor procedure from their doctor, and therapy can help get the hand moving well again afterward.
This is often thumb arthritis or De Quervain's, and the cause guides the treatment. Strengthening the muscles around the thumb, changing how you pinch and grip, and in some cases a brace can make daily tasks easier.
Yes, stiffness and weakness are very common after a wrist fracture. Regular exercises to restore motion and strength usually make a big difference, and your therapist will follow any instructions from your surgeon or doctor.
Sometimes. A brace can help rest an irritated tendon or support a painful thumb joint, but wearing one all the time can leave the wrist stiff and weak. Your therapist can advise on whether an off-the-shelf brace may help and how long to use it.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.