Condition Pain Condition Benchmarked

Wrist / Carpal Pain

Wrist and carpal pain from overuse, compression, or entrapment. Assessment covers wrist ROM, grip strength, forearm rotation, Phalen's/Tinel's screening for CTS, and cervical screening for referred pain via double crush syndrome.

Clinical note: Many wrist pain clients work desk jobs where the ergonomic changes needed are beyond their direct control. Advocate for ergonomic assessment at their workplace. Exercises alone will not resolve occupational overuse.
6
ROM Tests
3
Corrective Priorities
3
Risk Factors
5
Red Flags

Key ROM Tests

1 Cervical Flexion Extension
2 Cervical Lateral Flexion
3 Shoulder Internal Rotation
4 Thoracic Extension
5 Shoulder Flexion
6 Cervical Axial Rotation

Risk Factors Assessed

Cervical Flexion Extension
Shoulder Internal Rotation
Thoracic Extension

Expected Timeline

4-8 weeks for mild RSI, 8-16 weeks for CTS (conservative), surgery if no improvement at 12+ weeks with night splinting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can wrist / carpal pain be corrected with exercise?
Typical improvement timeline is 4-8 weeks for mild RSI, 8-16 weeks for CTS (conservative), surgery if no improvement at 12+ weeks with night splinting. The protocol includes 3 prioritized corrective interventions and screens for red flags that require medical referral.
What assessments are done for wrist / carpal pain?
The protocol assesses Cervical Flexion Extension, Cervical Lateral Flexion, Shoulder Internal Rotation, Thoracic Extension. Each test identifies the specific driver of the condition, guiding the corrective sequence.
Is wrist / carpal pain the same for everyone?
No. The assessment differentiates structural from functional causes and identifies the individual's primary driver. The corrective plan is ordered by priority, with the highest-leverage corrections addressed first.
How do I get started with the Wrist / Carpal Pain protocol?
Apply for an assessment through AKMI. Your coach will run the Wrist / Carpal Pain protocol as part of your initial structural evaluation, then build a personalized corrective plan based on the findings.

Get your Wrist / Carpal Pain assessment

Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.

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Protocol Details

Category
Condition
Subcategory
Pain Condition
ROM Tests
6
Corrective Targets
3
Benchmarked
Yes
Red Flag Screens
5
Timeline
4-8 weeks for mild RSI, 8-16 weeks for CTS (conservative), surgery if no improvement at 12+ weeks with night splinting
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