Wrist & Hand Pain in Glendale, AZ

Wrist and hand pain can come from the wrist joint, the tendons that cross it, or a nerve that is irritated anywhere from your neck to your fingers. Numb or tingling fingers are not always carpal tunnel syndrome. At Muscle Chiropractic in Glendale, AZ, Dr. Tim Ballitch examines your wrist, hand, elbow and neck before recommending care, and tells you when a physician or hand specialist is the better next step.

Have wrist or hand pain? Choose your visit:

• New patients who have never been seen at Muscle Chiropractic (ages 12+): Book a New Patient Visit — scheduled for about 30 minutes, including your history and exam. $154.13 (credit card price). See what to expect and bring.
• Existing patients, including for a new problem: Book an Existing Patient Visit — $67 (about 15 minutes).
• Questions first? Call or text 480-740-9619.

Common sources of wrist and hand pain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. It typically causes numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often worse at night or while holding a phone or steering wheel.
• Tendon irritation: such as pain on the thumb side of the wrist with gripping, lifting or pinching, or tendon pain from repeated training or work tasks. See also tendonitis.
• Wrist sprains and joint stiffness: after a fall, a lifting strain, push-ups, or sports that load the wrist.
• Thumb and finger joint pain: aching with pinching, opening jars or gripping.
• Nerve irritation higher up: a pinched nerve in the neck or nerve pressure at the elbow can send symptoms into the hand. See numbness and tingling and neck pain.

What happens at your visit

• History: when it started, what you do with your hands at work, in training and at home, and whether you have numbness, weakness or night symptoms.
• Examination: wrist, hand and thumb movement, grip, tender areas, sensation and strength, plus checks of your elbow and neck.
• Explanation: what Dr. Tim found, what he recommends and what to expect.
• Care, if it fits: one or more of the options below. Not everyone needs every option.

Care options Dr. Tim may use

• Wrist and hand adjustments, by hand or with an adjusting instrument such as the ProAdjuster.
• Soft tissue work for the forearm and hand: manual muscle release and IASTM (scraping) or cupping.
• Corrective exercise for grip, wrist and forearm strength and mobility, chosen from your exam.
• Kinesiology taping when appropriate, included in your visit at no additional fee.
• For tendon and soft tissue problems of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow, Dr. Tim frequently uses Class IV laser and radial shockwave as part of care when your exam supports it. Laser and shockwave are priced separately from your chiropractic visit.
• Practical changes to how you grip, lift, type or train while symptoms settle.

See wrist treatment

Watch Dr. Tim use radial shockwave on the thumb side of the wrist (reel on Instagram).

When to get medical care first

• A fall onto your hand followed by swelling, deformity or pain at the base of the thumb. You may need an X-ray to rule out a fracture.
• Constant numbness, weakness, dropping things, or a thumb muscle that looks smaller than on the other hand.
• A hot, red or swollen joint, or fever.
• Sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg, or trouble speaking: call 911.

If your history or exam points to a problem that needs imaging, nerve testing, a splint, an injection or a surgical opinion, Dr. Tim will tell you and refer you.

What the research shows

• A Cochrane review of exercise and mobilisation treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, including chiropractic care, found only limited, very low-quality evidence of benefit (Page et al., Cochrane 2012).
• The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ 2024 guideline covers how carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed and treated medically, including splinting, injections and surgery, and advises against using MRI to diagnose it (AAOS 2024).

Research support for laser and shockwave varies by condition, and Dr. Tim explains what is known for yours. That is why he bases care on your exam, checks whether you are improving, and refers you when another treatment is a better fit.

Common questions

Is my hand numbness carpal tunnel?

Maybe. Numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers fits carpal tunnel, but a nerve in the neck or at the elbow can cause similar symptoms. Dr. Tim checks all three areas.

Do I need an MRI or nerve test first?

Usually not before an exam. If your symptoms are severe, constant or getting worse, he may refer you for nerve testing or to a physician.

Can a chiropractor adjust the wrist?

Yes. Dr. Tim treats wrists and hands, as well as shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Whether an adjustment fits your wrist depends on your exam.

Which appointment should I book?

If you’re new, book a New Patient Visit. If you’ve been seen here before, book an Existing Patient Visit, even for a new problem.

Visit us in Glendale

Our only office is at 7155 W. Campo Bello Dr., Building B, Suite B-115, Glendale, AZ 85308, less than a mile from Arrowhead Towne Center. Directions and hours. Call or text 480-740-9619.

Related care

Elbow pain · Numbness and tingling · Neck pain · Extremity adjustments · Sports chiropractic · Golf injuries

Prices shown are credit card prices. A cash discount is available when paying at the time of service.