Waking up in pain is never a pleasant way to start your day. And because most people need their hands immediately and constantly all day, this can continue causing problems even if the condition gets a little better once you’re moving.
Whether it’s a dull ache that lingers, sharp pain with specific movements, or general stiffness in your joints, we know the ways that hand pain in the morning can interfere with your routine and quality of life. Our physical therapists are more than capable of finding out what’s wrong and helping you get the treatment you need so you don’t keep waking up worse than you were the night before.
Types of hand pain
Hand pain doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some individuals may feel chronic aches, while others experience sharp, short-lived pain. Understanding the type of pain you’re experiencing can provide valuable insights into potential causes and treatments.
- Chronic, achy hand pain – This type of ongoing pain often suggests swelling, joint stiffness, or mild inflammation.
- Sharp pain with specific movements – Experiencing pain when bending your fingers, making a fist, or gripping might point to an injury, scar tissue build-up, or underlying conditions such as tendinitis.
- Pain that gets better or worse throughout the day – Some people feel that their pain gradually improves after starting their normal routine, while others notice stiffness persisting or worsening throughout the day. For example, morning hand pain that eases after warming up might signal stiffness due to inactivity. Conversely, worsening pain could indicate ongoing inflammation or strain.
Potential causes for hand pain
When you consider the different experiences of hand pain in the morning, you’ll see how each type can be caused by something different, or how a person might experience multiple symptoms because of a single underlying cause. Common causes that affect the hands include the following.
Joint stiffness
After lying still for hours overnight, your body slows the production and circulation of synovial fluid, the natural lubricant that helps your joints move smoothly. This reduced lubrication can make the joints in your hands stiff and achy in the morning, but may get better as you are awake and active.
Inflammation
Inflammation in the hands, whether from overuse, injury, or an underlying health condition, can leave your hands feeling sore and swollen first thing in the morning. This is especially common if your daily activities involve repetitive hand motions like typing, writing, or crafting.
Arthritis
Morning hand pain is often associated with arthritis, which could be either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis causes a breakdown of cartilage or swelling in the joints, leaving hands stiff, tender, or painful after inactivity, such as sleeping.
Muscle tension
Overuse of hand and wrist muscles throughout the day can result in muscle tension in your forearms or hands that you notice most prominently upon waking. This is largely because your muscles remain immobile as you sleep, giving the tension an opportunity to settle in.
Scar tissue
People who have experienced injuries or surgeries involving their hands may develop scar tissue throughout the delicate area of the fingers and wrists, which can hinder flexibility and cause discomfort. Scar tissue often tightens when not actively stretched or broken up, leading to greater stiffness in the mornings.
Treatments for different types of hand pain
You’re the expert on your experience of pain, including hand pain that arrives immediately when you wake up and changes throughout the day or week. As you take note of what activities, positions, or environments make your pain better or worse, you can try a few at-home remedies to reduce your dependence on pain relievers or other methods of getting through your day, including:
- Heat therapy for stiffness
- Ice therapy for inflammation reduction
- Wrist or hand braces as you work or when you sleep
- Hand stretches or exercises to promote healthy flexibility
It’s important to note that many of these self-care treatments for hand pain are specific to an underlying cause that you may or may not be sure of. In addition, they are temporary fixes that won’t necessarily prevent hand pain from happening again tomorrow or later in the future. This is why seeing a physical therapist for an evaluation and personalized plan of action is usually the most effective way to go.
Physical therapy for when your hands hurt each morning
There are many physical therapy treatments tailored to hand and wrist pain, including:
- Therapeutic exercises: Stretching and strength-building exercises are designed to target specific joint and muscle areas causing pain or stiffness.
- Manual therapy or massage: A physical therapist can use hands-on techniques to mobilize stiff joints or reduce muscle tension.
- Ultrasound or electrical stimulation: Advanced methods like ultrasound therapy or electrical stimulation are sometimes used to reduce pain and enhance healing.
- Education and ergonomics: Therapists will advise you on better body mechanics and tools to prevent recurring strain from daily activities.
One of the great benefits of seeing a physical therapist in situations like experiencing pain in your hands each morning is that you don’t need a referral to receive our specialized care. This allows us not only to provide same-day or next-day treatments when possible, but also reduce your out-of-pocket costs from your primary care provider.
Morning hand pain relief in El Paso, TX
Morning hand pain shouldn’t be a hurdle to getting a successful start to your day. While home remedies and lifestyle changes can bring temporary relief, persistent symptoms often require expert care. By discovering the source of your discomfort and tailoring a treatment plan, you can start waking up ready to go immediately and sustainably.
Starting a conversation with our team about your experience of hand pain or any other issue is easy: just call one of our nearby clinics or request your appointment online today. We hope to help you soon!