“Why does my hand hurt?”: Your Hand Pain Questions Asked & Answered

Without thinking twice, we use our hands every day for just about everything, from brushing our teeth to performing tasks at work to playing sports and everything in-between. Just as with pain in other parts of the body, it's easy to take a lack of hand pain for granted. When hand pain strikes, it can be more impactful than just a discomforting nuisance. Finding hand pain relief in these instances can make all the difference.

Meaningful, long-term relief from pain in the hands, fingers and wrists encompasses more than just the physical aspect, and while prescription or over-the-counter pain medications can help, they aren't a one-size-fits-all “cure” for pain.

If this resonates with you, this is a good place to start: let's begin by exploring the types of hand pain and how they can affect you. Then, keep reading to discover hand pain relief strategies that you can incorporate into your daily routine.

What are the most common causes of hand and arthritis pain and what do they feel like?

Common causes of hand pain include the following:

Arthritis: Arthritis in the hands causes a progressive degeneration of cartilage — a necessary tissue that allows smooth movement in the joints. In osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis symptoms can include a dull ache, pain and stiffness, and difficulty using painful joints in daily life as cartilage deteriorates.

Tendinitis: This tendon pain derives from irritation or inflammation of the wrist tendons, located at the base of the thumb. Tendinitis can make it difficult to make a fist, grasp objects or turn your wrist, and wrist pain is also common.

Trigger Finger: Trigger finger can develop when the flexor tendons in the hand become irritated. Tendons can get stuck and lock into place, making it difficult to straighten the fingers. It’s unclear why trigger finger develops.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other nerve disorders: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of nerve pain that can be felt anywhere in the hand and even up in the forearm. It occurs when swelling constricts the median nerve which passes through the carpal tunnel, located at the base of the hand.

Age, injury, overuse or repetitive motions, including texting or typing stress on the finger joints, are risk factors for developing the outlined conditions, and hand pain may also come with other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, swelling, or burning. See your preferred healthcare provider for a proper and accurate diagnosis.

How can I find hand pain relief at home?

You can find meaningful ways to prioritize your wellbeing and keep hand pain out of the way, regardless of where your hand pain came from. Discover four different hand pain relief home remedies that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.

4 Strategies for Finding Hand Pain Relief at Home

1. Wear a Splint

One of the first things you can take action on when pain strikes is immobilizing the area. Prevent further aggravation or pain flare ups, lessen pain, reduce pain, and support joint function by keeping the hand or wrist in a neutral position with the help of a splint. Wearing a splint or compression gloves overnight may help improve pain and function in people with hand arthritis. Depending on where you feel pain and what movement provokes it, you can find many different splints and braces on the market that are tailored to your needs. Nighttime splinting of the distal interphalangeal joint has also been studied as a safe, simple way to reduce pain and improve range of motion. Hand splints and braces can be found at most drugstores. Although no doctor’s prescription is required for a splint, a visit to your preferred healthcare provider can be beneficial; if symptoms suggest rheumatoid arthritis or start to affect grip and manual dexterity, a clinician or physical therapist can help choose thumb stabilization or wrist support options, and splinting has also been shown to help manage hand and wrist function.

Different kinds of hand splints

Some of the most common hand splints include the following:

Buddy Splint: A splint that holds two fingers together, above or below the injured joint, and can help support sore finger joints after strain.

Static Splint: A finger splint that holds a joint still, either in a completely straight or slightly bent position. This can be particularly beneficial for tendinitis or trigger finger.

Stack Splint: A splint that covers the distal fingertip area and the first joint, preventing it from being bent, and it may be used on the index finger.

Dynamic Splint: A splint meant to stretch a joint, usually using a spring-loaded system.

Wrist Splint: This splint is usually worn by those dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome; it works to prevent your wrist from bending, which can relieve pressure on the median nerve, and overnight use may help ease pain.

2. Use Heat/Cold Therapies

Try applying heat or ice for hand pain relief, or use both therapies interchangeably, as temperature therapy can help relieve arthritis pain and general hand pain:

Cold Therapy: Cold therapy works by reducing blood flow to the area and reducing nerve activity, helping to numb the sensations of pain. Apply something cold to the affected area in the form of a cream, pad or cold packs, wrapping them in a thin towel before use, to help reduce inflammation, joint pain during a flare, and pain and swelling that can come from acute injury or new onset pain.

Heat Therapy: Conversely to cold therapy, a heat application can improve local circulation, promote tissue healing and improve muscle flexibility. Heat works by widening blood vessels so more blood and oxygen reach the area, which can loosen tight muscles and ease discomfort. Apply something warm to the hand in the form of a cream or hot towel, try a warm water soak or a hot shower, or visit a sauna or hot tub for an experience that’s not only relieving of soreness, but relaxing too!

A wearable recovery product like Thermacool Hand & Wrist Recovery Sleeve can provide targeted temperature therapy while offering gentle compression and support for the hand and wrist. This can be especially useful for individuals managing arthritis symptoms, repetitive strain, or everyday hand fatigue.

Many people find that alternating between heat and cold therapies is particularly effective for managing arthritis pain and stiffness, as each approach addresses different aspects of discomfort and inflammation.

3. Use a TENS Device

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a safe, non-invasive type of temporary pain therapy and relief that you can find in devices such as DR-HO'S Pain Therapy System 4-Pad. It uses safe, gentle electrical stimulation conducted through electrodes placed on the body. This stimulation floods the nervous system, disrupting and reducing the normal flow of pain signals to the brain. TENS is also thought to help release endorphins in the body, which is a naturally-occurring chemical that helps the body relieve pain. 

Some TENS devices are also equipped with EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). This type of pain-relieving technology stimulates muscles, causing them to contract and relax in order to increase local circulation and soothe soreness. Stimulating healthy muscles also helps to improve and facilitate muscle performance.

It's important to have a device on hand that you can rely on for fast-acting, temporary relief — especially considering how intrusive and unexpected a flare-up of hand pain can be. While TENS can't address the underlying condition, it can be an effective hand pain relief home remedy, helping pain sufferers perform everyday activities with less pain. 

Learn more about TENS here:

• Discover the Pain Therapy System 4-Pad for TENS therapy that can be used anywhere on the body.

• Find out how to place your body pads to target hand pain.

• Learn more about how a TENS machine works behind the scenes to temporarily relieve pain.

4. Stretch the Hands Regularly

i. Keep the joints and muscles in your hands loose and help prevent future pain and injuries with gentle exercises and hand exercises that can improve joint flexibility, range of motion, and circulation, and may support people with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Try these three easy stretches: From a relaxed starting position, make a loose fist and flex the fingers to fully straighten them using slow, controlled movements. Repeat several times on both hands.

ii. One by one, bend and then slowly straighten each finger, keeping the other fingers straight so the motion targets the middle joints. Repeat with each finger on both hands.

iii. With fingers spread out, lay your hand flat on a surface and gently lift each finger in a controlled way to improve the finger joints and overall joint flexibility. Repeat with each finger on both hands.

A 2013 study found that women with hand osteoarthritis who did these kinds of mobility drills three times a day for three months saw meaningful gains in pain and joint function, and a 2015 study reported that adding strengthening exercises under physical therapy guidance improved flexibility, dexterity, grip, and hand function over time for people with RA.

Using soft-grip tools, cutting back on repetitive typing or texting, and taking regular breaks can also reduce daily strain.

If pain persists or gets worse, see a healthcare provider or physical therapist.

Manage hand pain on your own terms.

We hope that this guide to hand pain has inspired you to prioritize your pain management routine. Find long-lasting, healthy habits that help you alleviate pain and start feeling more like yourself again!

Disclaimer: DR-HO'S content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a certified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.