Physio Bangkok/Conditions
Wrist Pain Physiotherapy in Bangkok
Wrist pain usually comes from an irritated tendon, a squeezed nerve, a sprain or stiffness after a break. Common causes are De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, overuse from desk, phone and gym work, and carpal tunnel syndrome. At Aspire Physio Bangkok we work out which one you have, settle it down, then rebuild wrist and grip strength on our gym floor. The clinic is on the 2nd floor of Jasmine Building, Sukhumvit Soi 23, a short walk from Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT, and your first consultation is free. Book through our contact page or call 082-281-8009.
- Free first consultation
- Licensed physiotherapists
- English and Thai
- Sukhumvit 23, near Asok BTS
Your physio team
Licensed physiotherapists who assess and treat you themselves, in English or Thai, from treatment through to the gym floor.
At a glance
| Common causes | De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, tendon overuse, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and stiffness after a fracture |
|---|---|
| Thumb-side pain | Often De Quervain’s: pain that’s worse when you move your thumb and wrist, common in new parents |
| Night tingling | Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, worse at night, points to carpal tunnel |
| Red flag | A fall on an outstretched hand with pain at the base of the thumb needs a doctor and an X-ray |
| Typical recovery | Most sprains feel better in 2 weeks. A carpal tunnel splint can take up to 6 weeks to help. Stiffness after a fracture can last months |
| Injections and surgery | Medical options to decide with a doctor. We don’t do injections |
What causes wrist pain
Your wrist is where the two forearm bones meet eight small carpal bones [9]. Tendons run over it to your thumb and fingers, and on the palm side the median nerve passes through a narrow channel called the carpal tunnel [2][4].
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Two thumb tendons run through a tight tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. In De Quervain’s, the sheath around them thickens, so they catch and hurt [5][4]. It’s linked to repeated thumb and wrist movements, and it’s most common in women in their forties and fifties [4]. The classic case is a new parent lifting their baby again and again with the thumbs spread wide. Pregnancy and manual work are also risk factors [4].
Tendon overuse. Repeated use of the wrist and hand, such as typing or repetitive sport, can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI) [12]. Tendons can also flare after sudden, sharp movements, repetitive exercise, or poor technique in training or sport [13]. Surveys of heavy smartphone users link long hours, one-handed use and frequent thumb typing with hand, wrist and thumb pain, though they can’t prove the phone is the cause [14].
Carpal tunnel syndrome. This is pressure on the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel [2]. It’s the most common nerve entrapment, affecting 7% to 16% of people in the UK [6]. Your risk is higher if you’re overweight or pregnant, have arthritis or diabetes, have a parent, brother or sister with it, or often bend your wrist or grip hard at work or in hobbies [2]. Computer use on its own doesn’t seem to raise the risk [1].
Sprains and stiffness after a fracture. Sprains are most common in the wrists, ankles, thumbs and knees, and sport is a common cause [11]. After a broken wrist, the joint is often stiff and weak once the cast comes off [10].
Symptoms
Where it hurts and what sets it off give the best clues. The patterns overlap, so a physio or doctor should confirm the cause.
- Thumb-side pain (De Quervain’s). Pain on the thumb side of the wrist that gets worse when you move your thumb and wrist [4]. There may be swelling, stiffness or a lump at the base of the thumb [3]. A typical sign is sharp pain on the thumb side when the thumb is tucked into the palm and the wrist is bent towards the little finger [4].
- Night tingling (carpal tunnel). Tingling, numbness or pins and needles in the thumb, index and middle fingers and half of the ring finger [6]. It’s usually worse at night, and often starts slowly and comes and goes [2]. Over time you may notice a weak thumb, trouble gripping or dropping things [2][1].
- Pain with activity (overuse). Burning, aching or throbbing pain that usually starts gradually, sometimes with stiffness, weakness or swelling [12]. Tendon pain gets worse when you move, and you might feel a grating or crackling sensation [13].
- Pain after a fall or twist (sprain). Pain, swelling and bruising, and the wrist is hard to move or grip with [3].
- Stiffness after a fracture. A wrist that’s stiff and weak after the cast comes off [10].
When to see a doctor first
Some wrist problems need a doctor before physio. See a doctor first, or get urgent care, if you have any of these:
- You fell on an outstretched hand and have pain or tenderness in the hollow at the base of your thumb, called the anatomical snuffbox. This can be a scaphoid fracture, which needs an X-ray and doesn’t always show up on the first one. Wrist pain that hasn’t gone within a day of an injury may be a fracture [9].
- Your wrist has changed shape or colour, you heard a snap or pop when you hurt it, or you can’t move your wrist or hold things [3][10].
- Numbness, tingling or pins and needles that started after an injury [10][6].
- A wrist or lump that’s hot, red, swollen and painful, or wrist pain with a high temperature or feeling unwell. These can be signs of infection [3].
- Carpal tunnel symptoms that are constant, numbness that doesn’t go away, a weak thumb, or wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb. These suggest severe nerve compression and need a doctor promptly, as nerve damage can become permanent [6][1].
- Symptoms that suddenly get much worse, or lost feeling in part or all of your hand [3][6].
- Wrist or hand symptoms and you have diabetes, as hand problems can be more serious [3].
Our physiotherapists screen for these at your first visit and will tell you if you need to see a doctor. We can recommend clinics nearby.
Your first consultation is free. A physiotherapist will assess you properly and explain what’s going on, with no pressure to book more.
The phases of wrist rehab
Most wrist problems follow the same broad path, whatever the cause. The phases overlap, and the timeframes are typical ranges from the guidance. We move you on when you meet the criteria in the last column.
| Phase | Typical timeframe | Goals | What rehab focuses on | We move on when you can… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Settle and modify load | Usually the first 2 to 6 weeks. Most sprains feel better after 2 weeks [11], and a night splint for carpal tunnel can take up to 6 weeks to help [2]. | Calm pain and night symptoms. Find the movements that flare it. | Cutting down repeated wrist bending, hard gripping and twisting [2][13]. Splint options a doctor or hand therapist may advise, such as a night splint that keeps the wrist straight for carpal tunnel [1] or a thumb splint for De Quervain’s [5]. For carpal tunnel, hands-on work or taping for short-term relief [1]. | Sleep with less pain or tingling, and do light daily tasks without a flare that lasts into the next day. |
| 2. Restore movement | Overlaps with phase 1 and starts as soon as pain allows. After a fracture, it starts once your doctor clears you. Most broken wrists take around 6 to 8 weeks to recover [10]. | Full, comfortable movement of the wrist, thumb and fingers. | Active movement, joint mobilisation for stiffness after a cast, and stretching. For carpal tunnel without thumb muscle wasting, a splint plus stretching programme is an option [1]. Tendon and nerve gliding where it eases symptoms, as the evidence is mixed [1][8]. | Move your wrist and thumb through most of their range without sharp pain, and type or use your phone for longer before symptoms build. |
| 3. Progressive strength and grip | Often from around 6 weeks, once pain and movement have settled. Mild carpal tunnel should improve within about 6 weeks of conservative care, and a doctor should review it if it hasn’t improved by 12 weeks [6]. | Rebuild grip, pinch and forearm strength so the wrist copes with your daily load. | Progressive loading on the gym floor, from light holds to heavier gripping, carrying and pressing. Resting too long leaves a wrist weaker and less flexible [12], so load goes up in steps. | Grip and lift close to your other side, with no flare afterwards. |
| 4. Return to work, gym or sport | Varies with the cause. After a sprain, avoid strenuous exercise for up to 8 weeks [11]. Stiffness and weakness after a fracture can last several months or more [10]. | Get back to full typing, lifting, push-ups, pressing and sport. | Workstation and phone habits, wrist position under load, lifting technique, and building training volume back gradually [12]. | Get through a full work day, training session or match without symptoms building, and feel normal the next day. |
For carpal tunnel, a night splint is the recommended starting point, and in one trial wearing it for 6 months worked better than 6 weeks [1]. For De Quervain’s, a thumb splint on its own is one of the less effective options. It works best after a steroid injection from a doctor [5].
How we treat wrist pain
Every client at Aspire Physio Bangkok is assessed and treated by one of our three licensed physiotherapists, in English or Thai. Our approach is corrective rehab through exercise. Hands-on treatment helps settle pain, and the lasting gains come from movement and strength work that we progress on the gym floor in the same building.
Find the cause
Your first session is a full assessment. We ask where it hurts and what sets it off, check your neck, elbow and hand, and test the tendons and nerves. For carpal tunnel, the 2026 physiotherapy guideline recommends a hand symptom diagram and simple tests such as the Phalen test and the Tinel sign [1]. For thumb-side pain we use the Finkelstein test [4]. Carpal tunnel can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms and an examination [2]. We don’t do imaging, so if you need a scan we’ll tell you and recommend a clinic nearby.
Settle the pain and change the load
Early on, we find the movements that flare it and change how you do them, so you can keep using your hand. For desk and phone work, that means your mouse, keyboard and phone habits. For carpal tunnel, the guideline supports tips such as using arrow keys or touch screens, switching your mouse hand, and keyboards that need a lighter touch [1]. Our office syndrome page covers the wider desk set-up.
Hands-on care, taping and nerve glides
For carpal tunnel, the guideline says manual therapy aimed at the neck and arm may improve pain and function in the short term, and kinesiology taping may help mild cases [1]. We use these to make exercise easier. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises are widely used, but the evidence is mixed. A Cochrane review found only limited, very low-quality evidence [8], and the 2026 guideline made no recommendation either way [1]. We include them if they ease your symptoms and drop them if they don’t.
Build the strength
Once pain settles, we load the wrist, forearm and grip on the gym floor, from light holds and controlled wrist curls to heavier gripping, carrying and pressing. Two of our physiotherapists are also qualified strength and conditioning specialists, which helps when your goal is getting back to lifting, push-ups or sport.
Stiffness after a fracture
Once your doctor has cleared you, we use joint mobilisation and active movement to win back range, then build grip and wrist strength. Stiffness and weakness after a cast can take several months or more to settle [10]. If you had surgery to fix the fracture, see our post-surgery rehab page.
Work alongside your doctor
For carpal tunnel, a steroid injection may be recommended if a splint doesn’t help [2]. A Cochrane review found injections work for mild and moderate cases, with benefits lasting up to 6 months [7], though symptoms can come back [2]. If it’s severe, getting worse or not responding to other treatment, a doctor may refer you to discuss surgery to release the carpal tunnel [2][6]. It’s a short day-case operation, and it can take about a month to get back to normal activities [2]. For De Quervain’s, the best-supported first step is a steroid injection with 3 to 4 weeks in a thumb splint, with surgery kept for cases that don’t settle [5]. We don’t do injections or surgery, but we can recommend clinics nearby and plan your rehab around what you and your doctor decide.
How long it takes and how many sessions
It depends on the cause, how long you’ve had it and how much your wrist has to handle. Typical ranges from the guidance:
- Tendon overuse. A mild tendon injury should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks. You may need physio if the pain is severe, lasts a long time or limits your movement [13].
- Sprains. Most feel better after 2 weeks, but severe sprains can take months [11].
- Carpal tunnel. A night splint can take up to 6 weeks to start helping [2]. Mild cases should improve within about 6 weeks of conservative care, and a doctor should review it if it hasn’t improved after up to 12 weeks [6]. Carpal tunnel linked to pregnancy often gets better by itself within a few months [2].
- De Quervain’s. After an injection and 3 to 4 weeks in a thumb splint, the review authors suggest a further review if symptoms are still there 3 to 4 months later [5]. In new parents it often settles once lifting becomes less frequent [4].
- Stiffness after a fracture. Recovery usually takes around 6 to 8 weeks, but stiffness and weakness can last several months or more [10].
We can’t give you a fixed number of sessions before we’ve seen you. After your first assessment your physio will give you a plan, including how often to come in and what to do at home. If you’re not progressing as expected, we’ll tell you and suggest seeing a doctor.
What you can do at home
- Cut back what flares it. Reduce activities that make you bend your wrist repeatedly or grip hard, such as long typing sessions, vibrating tools or playing an instrument [3][2].
- Keep moving gently. Gentle hand and wrist exercises help ease mild pain and stiffness [3]. Don’t rest it completely for more than a few days, as that can leave it weaker and stiffer [12].
- Ice a new injury. For a recent sprain or flare, an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours can help. Skip heat packs and hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury [3].
- Try a night splint for tingling. A splint that keeps your wrist straight while you sleep relieves pressure on the nerve [2].
- Change how you lift and grip. Gadgets for jobs like opening jars take load off a sore wrist [3]. For new parents, lifting the baby with the thumbs spread wide is the classic De Quervain’s trigger [4], so we’ll show you other ways to lift.
- Ask about pain relief. A pharmacist can advise on painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel [3], though for carpal tunnel there’s little evidence they treat the cause [2].
Your physio sets your specific exercises after assessment and changes them as you progress.
Cost and insurance
Your first consultation is free. Treatment sessions start from ฿1,600. If you have health insurance, you can claim with your insurer, and we’ll supply the documents your provider asks for. It’s worth checking your policy’s physiotherapy cover before you start. See our insurance claims page for how claiming works.
Your physiotherapists
Your knee is treated by one of our licensed physiotherapists: Boom Namsak, who is both a physiotherapist and a strength coach, Gino Udomthanakij, or Som Benjaprasertsri. They all work in English and Thai, and they all coach the gym-floor part of your rehab themselves.
Common questions
How do I know if it’s carpal tunnel or De Quervain’s?
Where you feel it is the main clue. Carpal tunnel causes tingling, numbness or pain in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often worse at night. De Quervain’s causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist that gets worse when you move your thumb and wrist, and lifting or gripping often hurts. The two can overlap, so a physio or doctor should examine you to confirm which it is.
Does physiotherapy help carpal tunnel syndrome?
Yes, physiotherapy is the recommended first-line care for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. The 2026 US physiotherapy guideline recommends advice on the activities that aggravate it plus a night splint that keeps the wrist straight, with manual therapy, stretching or taping as possible short-term extras. Severe cases, with constant numbness or thumb muscle wasting, need a doctor, and some people go on to need an injection or surgery.
Do I need a wrist splint?
Often, at least for a while. For carpal tunnel, a splint that holds the wrist straight at night is the usual first step, and it can take up to 6 weeks to help. For De Quervain’s, a thumb splint works best alongside a steroid injection, and a splint on its own tends to be less effective. A doctor or hand therapist may advise a specific splint, and we’ll plan your rehab around it.
Is my wrist broken or sprained?
You can’t always tell without an X-ray, so get it checked by a doctor if you’ve fallen on your hand. Warning signs of a break include a snap or pop at the time of injury, a wrist that’s changed shape, and not being able to move it or hold things. Pain in the hollow at the base of the thumb after a fall can mean a scaphoid fracture, which doesn’t always show on the first X-ray.
Can using my phone or computer cause wrist pain?
It can contribute, mainly through repetition and awkward positions. Repetitive typing is a recognised cause of repetitive strain injury, and surveys of heavy smartphone users link long use, one-handed holding and frequent thumb typing with hand and wrist pain, although they can’t prove cause. Computer use doesn’t seem to raise the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome itself. We look at your set-up and habits as part of treatment.
Can I keep training at the gym with wrist pain?
Usually yes, if you work around it. Staying active helps, but you may need to cut back at first and build up gradually. Avoid heavy lifting, strong gripping or twisting that makes your symptoms worse while the tendon settles. We’ll adjust or swap exercises such as push-ups, presses and pulls so you can keep training, then load the wrist back up step by step. If you fell on the wrist, get it checked first.
Do I need an injection or surgery, and can you provide them?
They’re medical options to decide with a doctor, and we don’t provide them. For carpal tunnel, a steroid injection may help if a splint doesn’t, and surgery is considered if symptoms are severe or keep getting worse. For De Quervain’s, an injection followed by a few weeks in a thumb splint is the best-supported first step. We can recommend clinics nearby and plan your rehab around any treatment you have.
Will carpal tunnel from pregnancy go away?
It often does. Carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes gets better by itself within a few months, particularly when it’s caused by pregnancy. A night splint that keeps the wrist straight can ease symptoms in the meantime, and the US physiotherapy guideline suggests a check after the birth to make sure the symptoms have gone. See a doctor promptly if you have constant numbness or a weak thumb.
References
Show 14 references
- Erickson M, Lawrence M, Lazinski MJ, Scott K, Martin RL. Hand pain and sensory deficits: carpal tunnel syndrome: revision 2026. Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from APTA Orthopedics and APTA Hand and Upper Extremity Academies of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2026;56(4):CPG1-CPG79. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2026.0301
- NHS. Carpal tunnel syndrome. NHS website. Page last reviewed 17 April 2024. www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
- NHS. Wrist pain. NHS website. Page last reviewed 5 November 2025. www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hand-pain/wrist-pain/
- Satteson E, Tannan SC. De Quervain tenosynovitis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Updated 22 November 2023. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442005/
- Challoumas D, Ramasubbu R, Rooney E, Seymour-Jackson E, Putti A, Millar NL. Management of de Quervain tenosynovitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337001. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37001
- British Society for Surgery of the Hand, British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons of England. Commissioning guide: treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Version 2.1. November 2017. www.boa.ac.uk/static/def06e52-94d4-46b9-a482b7c4b9ded7f8/carpal%20tunn
- Ashworth NL, Bland JDP, Chapman KM, Tardif G, Albarqouni L, Nagendran A. Local corticosteroid injection versus placebo for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;2(2):CD015148. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015148
- Page MJ, O’Connor D, Pitt V, Massy-Westropp N. Exercise and mobilisation interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(6):CD009899. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009899
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Scaphoid fracture of the wrist. OrthoInfo. Accessed 2 October 2026. www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/scaphoid-fracture-of-the-wrist
- NHS. Broken arm or wrist. NHS website. Page last reviewed 26 May 2023. www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-arm-or-wrist/
- NHS. Sprains and strains. NHS website. Page last reviewed 23 April 2024. www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
- NHS. Repetitive strain injury (RSI). NHS website. Page last reviewed 28 May 2026. www.nhs.uk/conditions/repetitive-strain-injury-rsi/
- NHS. Tendonitis. NHS website. Page last reviewed 9 June 2023. www.nhs.uk/conditions/tendonitis/
- Varmazyar S. Smartphone use and related factors with hand pain among university students: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026;27. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-026-09702-3
Free first consultation
Book a knee assessment
Aspire Physio Bangkok is at Jasmine Building, 2nd Floor, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 23, a short walk from Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT. We’re open Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm. Bookings are required in advance. Book your free first consultation through our contact page or call 082-281-8009.