Introduction

The forearms are closely related to the hands and wrists, as they lie below the elbow and perform important motor functions. The hands and wrists help many individuals hold items, while the forearms support them by carrying weight without pain. The muscles around the forearms, hands, and wrist joints provide mobility and flexibility to the arms. Injuries like muscle sprains, strains, or stiffness in the forearms, hands, or wrists can stem from trigger points along the brachioradialis muscle that affect the hands and wrists.

Today’s article covers how the brachioradialis muscle functions in the hands and wrists, how trigger points affect them, and how to manage trigger points in the hands and wrists. We refer patients to certified providers who specialize in arm pain treatments to help individuals with trigger points in the brachioradialis muscle in the wrist and hand. The clinic also provides guidance and information by referring patients to our associated medical providers, when appropriate, based on their examination. We have found that education is a particularly effective way to answer the profound questions our patients ask. Dr. Jimenez, DC, takes note of this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

The Brachioradialis Function On The Hands & Wrist

Have you been experiencing stiffness in your wrist or forearms? Do you have trouble gripping items? Or do you experience radiating pain from your forearms to your wrist? Many people experiencing these pain-like symptoms have trigger points along the brachioradialis muscle that affect the forearms, hands, and wrist. The brachioradialis is a superficial muscle that is located in the lateral forearm. The brachioradialis works with other muscles in the upper arm to flex the elbow joint and with tendons in the wrist and hand. Research studies show that the brachioradialis works with the central nervous system by sending signals to the forearm and provides reflexes to the wrist and fingers by lightly tapping the brachioradialis tendon. This light tapping motion sends the signal back to the brain and shows which muscle is activated. However, injuries to the brachioradialis muscle can cause referred pain in the wrist and hands.

Trigger Points Affecting The Hands & Wrist

As many studies note, trigger points, or myofascial pain syndrome, are chronic musculoskeletal disorders that cause hard, discrete, tiny nodules along tight muscle fibers, causing pain. When the brachioradialis muscle develops pain-like symptoms from common factors or injuries, it can lead to referred pain associated with trigger points affecting the hands and wrists. So how would trigger points affect the hands and wrist? Trigger points can mimic other chronic conditions and cause pain in the affected muscles. So when trigger points affect the brachioradialis muscle, they can also affect the hands and wrists. 

 

Studies show that when trigger points affect the hands and wrists, they can cause pain, stiffness, burning, or tingling. As a result, a person can experience these pain symptoms even without injury. Trigger points can form when an individual makes repetitive motions with a muscle, causing overuse and strain that can lead to joint and muscle pain. Other studies reveal that nonspecific shoulder pain associated with trigger points can increase pain intensity in the brachioradialis and affect hand grip strength. This can make many individuals unable to hold onto the items they carry.

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Are you having trouble making a fist? Do you experience a burning sensation on your forearm down to your wrist? Do you feel pain that radiates from your elbows down to your hands? People with these symptoms may develop trigger points along the brachioradialis muscle, affecting the hands and wrist. The video above explains what happens when trigger points affect the wrist and hand extensor muscles that work together with the brachioradialis muscle. Trigger points along the brachioradialis can cause referred pain to the forearms and lead to chronic symptoms that affect wrist and hand function. This can decrease grip strength and cause hand mobility issues for many people. Still, there is hope, as various treatments can help manage trigger points in the hands and wrists.

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Managing Trigger Points Associated With The Hands and Wrist

Various treatments can help many individuals dealing with trigger points associated with the hands and wrist. Many people see pain specialists like chiropractors, massage therapists, or physiotherapists to manage trigger points affecting the brachioradialis muscles in the hands and wrist. These pain specialists use various techniques to reduce pain and address trigger points in the affected muscle. Studies show that acupuncture on the hands and wrist can reduce trigger-point-related pain and restore mobility and function. This can restore grip strength and improve hand and wrist function without pain. Other studies also reveal that trigger point therapy can be utilized to reduce pain-like symptoms affecting the hands and wrist. Combined with gentle massage, it can help prevent trigger points from forming and reduce pain symptoms that affect grip mobility in the hands.

Conclusion

The forearms are closely linked to the hands and wrist, as the brachioradialis muscles help provide mobility. The hands and wrists help a person grip items, while the forearms provide support. When injuries or everyday factors cause pain-like symptoms in the forearm, they can lead to trigger points that affect hand and wrist mobility. In that case, it can lead to a burning sensation or decreased grip strength in the hands. This can affect a person because they may struggle to hold onto items and experience numbness along the wrist and hands. Luckily, pain specialists can use various techniques to manage trigger points in the affected muscles and help restore grip function and mobility in the hands and wrist. People who incorporate these treatments into their daily schedule can begin to regain their sense of belonging without wrist and hand pain.

References

Calvo Lobo, Cesar, et al. “Comparison of Hand Grip Strength and Upper Limb Pressure Pain Threshold between Older Adults with or without Non-Specific Shoulder Pain.” PeerJ, PeerJ Inc., 9 Feb. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5345821/.

Cao, Talia, and Prasanna Tadi. “Brachioradialis Reflex.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 26 Mar. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554537/.

Hong, C Z. “Specific Sequential Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy in the Treatment of a Patient with Myofascial Pain Syndrome Associated with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.” Australasian Chiropractic & Osteopathy : Journal of the Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australasia, BioMed Central, Mar. 2000, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2050812/.

Lung, Brandon E, et al. “Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Brachioradialis Muscle.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 31 July 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526110/.

Oh, Sein, et al. “Causes of Hand Tingling in Visual Display Terminal Workers.” Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine, Apr. 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3660483/.

Trinh, Kien, et al. “The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review.” Medical Acupuncture, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Feb. 2022, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35251436/.