Why Wrist and Hand Pain Is So Common in Women (And Why It’s Not “Just One of Those Things”)

If you’ve ever caught yourself shaking out your hands, rubbing your wrists, or waking up with tingling fingers, you’re not alone.

Wrist and hand pain, often labelled as carpal tunnel, is incredibly common in women. And yet, it’s frequently brushed off as something you just have to put up with, especially if you use a computer, care for others, or have spent years lifting, carrying, gripping, and doing.

But the reality is, it’s rarely just one thing.

Carpal tunnel symptoms can show up for lots of reasons:

• repetitive hand use

• prolonged gripping (phones, steering wheels, tools, babies)

• hormonal changes

• fluid retention

• poor resting positions

• tension through the neck, shoulders, and forearms

And that’s before we even factor in tired nervous systems, stress, and the general wear and tear of everyday life.

What I see time and time again, both in clinic and in my own body, is that wrists don’t usually hurt in isolation. They’re part of a bigger picture. The forearms, shoulders, neck, posture, and even breathing patterns all play a role.

This is why simply “resting it” or wearing a splint doesn’t always solve the problem. Rest can help calm things down, but if the tissues are still under strain, symptoms often creep back.

The good news is that support doesn’t have to be intense or complicated.

Small, targeted movements, done gently and regularly, can make a surprising difference. Not because they force anything to change, but because they help reduce pressure, improve circulation, and remind the body that it doesn’t need to brace quite so much.

And importantly, this isn’t about pushing through pain or strengthening harder. It’s about understanding what your body has been dealing with and giving it a bit of help in the right places.

If wrist or hand pain has become something you’ve normalised, please know this: it doesn’t mean your body is failing. It usually means it’s been working hard for a long time.

I’ve recently opened a free, closed Facebook group called The My Body Hurts Club, where we talk about everyday pain like this in a calm, supportive, non-fitness-led way. It’s a space to learn, listen, and take what’s useful, without pressure.

Whether you join that or not, I hope this reminds you that your pain deserves understanding, not dismissal.

Love always,

Dawn xx

Sunshine Holistic Therapy