Last updated 21/02/2024 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Pain in the fingers (big guide)

Sore hands and pain in the fingers can seriously interfere with daily tasks. Stiffness and pain in the fingers can make it difficult to open jam lids and do normal housework tasks. Over time, it can also lead to impaired functional capacity.

Our hands and fingers are among our most important tools. So experiencing that these tools can, in addition to the physical, also be a mental burden. There are many causes and diagnoses that can lead to impaired function and pain in the fingers. Some of the most common include overuse, injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatism and carpal tunnel syndrome.

- Most people can improve significantly with 'simple moves'

We must apologize for the pun there, but it was just too tempting. But it is actually the case that the majority of patients with pain in the hands and fingers respond very well to conservative treatment and rehabilitation training. Part of the key to achieving functional improvement lies in a thorough examination - where, among other things, you map which muscles are underactive and weak. Then, you work purposefully with specific rehabilitation exercises and physical treatment. The latter includes both joint mobilization and muscular techniques to restore normal mobility and break down damaged tissue. Own measures such as usage palmrest and training with hand and finger trainer is also highly relevant.

"The article has been written in collaboration with, and quality checked by, publicly authorized health personnel. This includes both physiotherapists and chiropractors at Pain clinics Interdisciplinary Health (see clinic overview here). We always recommend having your pain assessed by knowledgeable healthcare personnel."

Tips: Scroll down to the end of the article to see a video with good exercises for the hands.

Symptoms of pain in the fingers

Pain comes in many different types and varieties. How these are described by the patient can help to give the clinician useful information about what is causing the symptoms. Among other things, it is common to hear these statements:

• "Tired of my fingers getting lazy!"

• "It's like your fingers are on fire"

• "Fingers fall asleep at night"

• "I often get cramps in my fingers"

• "My finger locks and clicks"

• "My fingers tingle and itch"

And these are just a handful (yes, we know) of examples that are common to hear from patients. At an initial consultation, you usually first go through a history taking, where the therapist, among other things, asks if you can describe your pain and symptoms. Then, based on the information that emerged, a functional examination will then be carried out.

Diagnosis of pain in the fingers

To make a diagnosis, the clinician will carry out a number of different tests. This may include testing of:

• Finger joints

• Wrist movement

• Muscle function

• Nerve tension (to check for nerve entrapment)

• Nerve tests

In addition, specific orthopedic tests (functional examinations) that look for signs of certain diagnoses may also be done. An example here could be Tinel's test which is an examination that helps assess whether there are signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pain clinics: Contact us

Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here for a complete overview of our clinics), including in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Akershus (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood), has a distinctively high professional competence in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. Toe contact us if you want help from publicly authorized therapists with expertise in these fields.

Reason: Why do I have pain in my fingers?

As mentioned earlier, there are several causes and diagnoses that can make our fingers hurt. Here we list some of them:

• Osteoarthritis of the finger joint

• DeQuervains tenosynovite

• Hand osteoarthritis

• Karpaltunnelsyndrom

• Joint stiffness

• Muscle imbalance

• Neck hernia (disc damage in the neck)

• Raynaud's syndrome

• Referred pain from muscles

• Rheumatic arthritis

• rheumatism

• Wear and tear changes

• trigger finger

It is also possible to have several diagnoses at once. If this is the case we call it combined finger pain. These are the kinds of things that the clinician will help you uncover.

- Imaging examination for pain in the fingers

First and foremost, it is important to state that referral for diagnostic imaging must be considered to be medically indicated. This means that it is believed that the images will lead to changes in treatment or rehabilitation. An indication for taking an MRI examination may be if there are specific suspicions of carpal tunnel syndrome or rheumatic findings. Both doctors and chiropractors have the right to refer for diagnostic imaging.

Treatment of sore hands and pain in the fingers

Our physiotherapists and chiropractors use well-documented and evidence-based treatment techniques. In addition to this being combined with specific rehabilitation exercises. Examples of treatment techniques include:

• Physiotherapy

• Laser Therapy

• Joint Mobilization

• Massage techniques

• Modern chiropractic

• Trigger point therapy

• Shockwave Therapy

• Dry needling (intramuscular acupuncture)

Here it is worth mentioning that chiropractic treatment, which includes both muscular work and joint mobilization (of both wrist and elbow), has a documented effect in carpal tunnel syndrome. Research studies can show a good symptom-relieving effect, but also improved nerve function and improved skin sensitivity (sensory).¹ Our clinicians also combine with dry needling if appropriate. Such treatment has a documented effect against, among other things, trigger finger (increased hand strength, pain relief and reduces damaged tissue).²

"Our clinicians will, based on the clinical examination, set up an adapted treatment plan that consists of both active treatment techniques and rehabilitation exercises."

Self-measures and self-help against sore fingers

There are a number of smart and good products that can help you if you have pain in your hands and fingers. Some self-measures are specific according to certain diagnoses, and others are more general. Below we go through three of the self-help measures our therapists most often recommend for problems in the hands and fingers. All the links to the recommended self-measures open in a new browser window.

Tip 1: Compression gloves (stimulates circulation)

We start with the advice that the vast majority of people will be able to benefit from. Namely the use of compression gloves. Such gloves stimulate increased circulation, improved grip and also provide good support for the hands. Very popular with rheumatism and people with osteoarthritis. Press the image or here to read more about the positive effects.

Tip 2: Orthopedic wrist support

Orthopedic wrist supports are used to relieve and protect an overloaded area. This provides good stability to the wrist, hand and parts of the forearm. By sleeping with it on, the wrist is kept in the correct position - and contributes to faster healing. Particularly popular with carpal tunnel syndrome, Dequervain's tenosynovitis, osteoarthritis and tendinitis in the wrist. Press here or on the picture to read more about it.

Tip 3: Training with hand and finger trainer

Many people are familiar with grip trainers. But far fewer are aware that it is often the case that we have a muscular imbalance in our hands - and that training in the other direction is just as important. It's here this hand and finger trainer comes into its own. Many people use these to restore strength in the muscles that bend the fingers backwards. Read more via the link here or above.

Exercises and training against pain in the fingers

You have now gained some insight into the possibilities available within the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of painful hands and fingers. So we hope it can motivate you to actively address your ailments. The rehabilitation exercises you receive will be tailored to your specific problem. But there are also more general exercises that you can start with. The video below shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff a training program for hands and fingers.

VIDEO: 7 exercises against osteoarthritis in the hands

Feel free to subscribe for free our youtube channel. There you will find, among other things, several training programs and treatment videos.

The pain clinics: Your choice for modern treatment

Our clinicians and clinic departments always aim to be among the elite in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain and injuries in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. By pressing the button below, you can see an overview of our clinics - including in Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Akershus (Raw wood og Eidsvoll Sound). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are wondering about anything.

See clinic overview

Article: Pain in the fingers

Written by: Our publicly authorized chiropractors and physiotherapists at Vondtklinikkene

Fact check: Our articles are always based on serious sources, research studies and research journals - such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Please contact us if you spot any errors or have comments.

References and sources

1. Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, Meyer JJ. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(5):317-326.
2. Azizian et al, 2019. J Phys Ther Sci. 2019 Apr;31(4):295-298. Effects of dry needling on tendon-pulley architecture, pain and hand function in patients with trigger finger: a randomized controlled trial study.