When your wrist is unstable, you’re less capable of managing daily life.

Working with your hands, typing at a computer, or simply getting dressed all become incredibly difficult when you can't easily use your wrist.

Your wrist health plays a crucial role in keeping you active and independent.

When wrist instability sets in, even the simplest tasks can become frustrating or painful. Left untreated, this condition can lead to chronic pain, reduced strength, and long-term disability.

Chiropractic care can make a big difference for an unstable wrist.

By relieving pain, restoring strength, and stabilizing your wrist, chiropractic can get you back to living your life with ease.

Who experiences wrist instability?

Anyone can experience wrist instability, but we see it more with certain demographic groups. 

Trade professionals can suffer from a limited ability to work.

When you work with your hands, wrist instability has a detrimental impact. 

The deep, aching discomfort worsens with every lift or grip. Holding tools feels impossible. 

With treatment, you can confidently return to work without the constant fear of dropping tools or making mistakes.

For tech workers, productivity can erode over time.

Wrist instability is a creeping condition for tech workers. 

Pain can flare up after hours of typing. You lose some ability to meet deadlines or keep up with the demands of your job. Stress builds as you feel stuck in a cycle of pain.

With treatment, we can ease your pain and stabilize your wrist. You can focus on your work without distraction.

Older people can be robbed of independence.

Painful, unstable wrists make daily tasks like cooking, dressing, and personal care overwhelming. 

Even simple activities like gardening, pruning, pulling weeds, walking the dog, or reaching for a cup of coffee can become difficult and painful. 

Loss of function can lead to a greater reliance on others, which often comes with emotional distress and a fear of becoming a burden.

Treatment can help you regain the strength and stability to care for yourself. 

What are the symptoms of wrist instability?

If your wrist is unstable, you might notice pain or discomfort when you try to grip, lift, or push something.

Swelling, weakness, or even a clicking or popping sound in your wrist might follow. You could feel like your wrist is about to give out.

Completing tasks that require strength and dexterity become very difficult with wrist instability.

What causes wrist instability?

Wrist instability often comes from overstretched ligaments in your wrist.

Your scapholunate ligament or TFCC can become overstretched or weakened from repetitive use. 

Over-stretched ligaments can also come from a traumatic injury, like a fall, or being pulled/yanked by a dog bolting while you are holding the leash.

Wrist instability often worsens without treatment.

Over time, repeating injurious motions can lead to arthritis or cartilage breakdown. These conditions make your wrist pain and instability even worse. 

How do chiropractors diagnose wrist instability?

When you come in with a wrist issue, our first priority is to figure out the cause.

Usually we start by examining your wrist. We'll move it through different motions like flexing, extending, and rotating. Through these movements, we'll check for swelling, tenderness and popping.

We'll also likely use hands-on palpation to feel how your muscles, ligaments, and bones are working together—or not working together.

If needed, we’ll perform specific orthopedic tests to stress the structures in your wrist. These tests help us identify which wrist structures might be causing your symptoms.

We may notice signs of severe ligament damage or arthritis and recommend imaging. Sometimes, a referral to a specialist may be necessary. 

How do chiropractors treat wrist instability?

The treatments we prescribe will depend on what’s causing your wrist instability. 

Some of the options we may include in your care plan are:

• Myofascial Release: Eases tight, overworked wrist muscles
• IASTM (“Blading”): Scraping tools that ease tension and improve mobility
• Chiropractic Adjustments: Hands-on and or/activator adjustments for precise and safe alignment
• RockTape: Supportive taping to stabilize your wrist and reduce strain
• E-Stim and Ultrasound Therapy: Reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area
• Gentle Massage: Particularly effective for older adults with arthritis to soothe stiff joints and improve comfort

How can I keep my wrist from becoming unstable again?

Maintaining good habits after treatment is essential to keep your wrists strong and stable.

Some of the ways you can support your wrist long-term include:

• Avoid overuse: Limit repetitive wrist motions. Typing, heavy lifting, or certain sports can aggravate wrist issues. Find ways to take breaks or modify your movements to avoid overuse
• Set up an ergonomic workspace: Make sure your keyboard and mouse keep your wrists in a neutral position
• Do stretching and strengthening exercises: Make stretching and strengthening your wrists and forearms part of your routine
• Use wrist support devices: Wear a wrist guard or splint during activities that put strain on your wrists
• Apply home treatments: Alternate ice and heat to reduce inflammation and promote healing when needed
• Follow a supportive diet: Include anti-inflammatory foods rich in Omega-3s, collagen, Vitamin C, and magnesium. Consider supplements like Magnesium Glycinate
• Self-massage with the right products: We often recommend topical CBD creams
• Get preventative care: regular chiropractic care can help keep your wrist strong and stable

Be proactive about your wrist health.

Watch for early warning signs like :

• pain that worsens with activity
• clicking or popping sounds
• reduced grip strength
• feelings of instability

Recognizing these signs early and seeking care can help you avoid bigger issues down the line. 

What happens if I don't get treatment for wrist instability?

Ignoring wrist instability can lead to serious, long-term problems.

Here’s what can happen if you delay treatment:

• Increasing pain, discomfort, and dysfunction: Chronic pain, repetitive strain injuries, and degenerative joint disease can develop or worsen
• Increased injury risk: Instability can lead to accidents, such as dropping objects
• Further damage: Overcompensating with other muscles causes imbalance and can lead to more pain, dysfunction and injury
• Diminished quality of life: Over time, untreated wrist instability can reduce your mobility, independence, and ability to work effectively
• Diminished mental health: Ongoing pain can cause heightened anxiety, fear of further injury, and loss of a sense of independence

When is wrist instability urgent?

There are times when your symptoms require immediate attention.

Watch for these urgent signs:

• Severe pain: Especially if it disrupts sleep or daily activities
• Reduced grip strength: Struggling to hold onto objects or tools
• Daily struggles: Dropping items, visible swelling, or significant pain with movement

If you notice these issues, it’s time to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Early intervention can prevent worsening symptoms and restore wrist function.

Think wrist instability may be holding you back?

Whether you’re dealing with pain, weakness, or limited mobility, we’re here to help. Our experienced chiropractors in Aptos are just a click away.

Schedule your appointment online to take the first step toward stronger, healthier wrists.