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Understanding Shoulder, Arm & Hand Pain

Pain in the shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand can make everyday activities such as lifting, reaching, gripping, typing and sleeping uncomfortable.

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Upper-limb symptoms can develop following an injury, repetitive activity or gradually over time. Although pain may originate from muscles, joints or tendons, nerve-related conditions can also cause discomfort, tingling, numbness or weakness.

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The location of pain does not always identify its cause. For example, some conditions affecting the neck can produce symptoms extending into the arm or hand.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulder allows movement in many directions, making it important for everyday activities and physical exercise.

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Shoulder pain can arise from several structures, including muscles, tendons, joints and surrounding tissues. Symptoms may develop after an injury, repetitive movements or without an obvious cause.

Common Symptoms

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  • Pain when reaching or lifting the arm

  • Discomfort during overhead movements

  • Clicking, catching or other joint sensations

  • Dull, aching pain around the shoulder

  • Difficulty sleeping on the affected side

  • Stiffness or reduced shoulder movement

  • Weakness during certain activities

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

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  • Rotator cuff conditions: Problems involving the tendons responsible for moving and stabilising the shoulder.

  • Frozen shoulder: A condition associated with pain and progressive restriction of shoulder movement.

  • Osteoarthritis: Changes affecting joint cartilage and other joint structures.

  • Bursitis: Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction around the shoulder.

  • Labral injuries: Damage to the cartilage surrounding the shoulder socket.

  • Muscle or ligament injuries: Strains or sprains following activity or trauma.

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Shoulder pain can also be associated with conditions affecting the cervical spine. An assessment may help identify possible contributing factors and determine whether further investigation is appropriate.

Elbow Pain

The elbow connects the upper arm and forearm and contributes to bending, straightening and rotating the arm.

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Elbow discomfort may develop following repetitive gripping, lifting, sporting activities or an injury. Although tendon-related conditions are common, joint and nerve problems can produce similar symptoms.

Common Symptoms

 

  • Pain when lifting or gripping objects

  • Tenderness around the inside or outside of the elbow

  • Dull or aching discomfort extending into the forearm

  • Stiffness or reduced elbow movement

  • Pain during repetitive hand or wrist movements

  • Reduced grip strength

  • Tingling or numbness extending into the hand

Common Causes

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  • Lateral epicondylopathy (tennis elbow): A tendon-related condition commonly associated with pain on the outside of the elbow.

  • Medial epicondylopathy (golfer's elbow): A condition affecting the tendon attachment on the inside of the elbow.

  • Ligament sprains: Injuries to tissues that help stabilise the elbow.

  • Ulnar nerve entrapment: Pressure or irritation affecting the ulnar nerve, which may cause tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers.

  • Osteoarthritis: Joint changes that may contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced movement.

  • Muscle or tendon injuries: Injuries associated with physical activity, repetitive loading or trauma.

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Elbow pain can have several possible explanations. Symptoms and physical examination findings help guide decisions about management, investigations or referral.

Wrist & Hand Pain

The wrist and hand contain numerous bones, joints, tendons and nerves that allow fine motor control, gripping and everyday movement.

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Pain, stiffness, tingling or weakness in this region may interfere with writing, typing, lifting or holding objects. Symptoms can develop after an injury, through repetitive activity or as part of another health condition.

Common Symptoms

  • Pain or numbness in the fingers, sometimes worse at night

  • Tingling, burning or altered sensation

  • Weakness or difficulty gripping objects

  • Swelling or stiffness in the wrist or hand

  • Pain during thumb or finger movement

  • Tenderness around the palm, wrist or thumb

  • Clicking, catching or locking of a finger

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Possible Causes of Wrist & Hand Pain

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  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may cause tingling, numbness or weakness in parts of the hand.

  • Scaphoid injuries: Injuries involving a small wrist bone, including fractures that can occur following a fall onto an outstretched hand.

  • Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries: Problems involving structures on the little-finger side of the wrist that may cause pain with gripping or rotation.

  • Tendinopathy or tenosynovitis: Conditions affecting tendons or their surrounding sheaths, sometimes associated with repetitive activity.

  • Trigger finger: A condition in which a finger or thumb may catch, click or become temporarily locked during movement.

  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis: A condition affecting tendons near the base of the thumb, often associated with pain during gripping or thumb movement.

  • Arthritis: Joint conditions that may contribute to pain, swelling, stiffness or reduced hand function.

How we can help

At Hayek Chiropractic Care, an assessment considers your symptoms, medical history, movement and the activities that matter to you.

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Understand your symptoms
We take time to listen to your concerns and assess your individual situation.

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Discuss appropriate options
We explain our findings and discuss suitable management options, including their potential benefits, risks and alternatives.

©2026 Hayek Chiropractic Care.

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