It hurts to push up from a chair, turn a key or lift the kettle. A fall on an outstretched hand a few weeks ago hasn’t settled. Or your wrist has been stiff and weak since the cast came off.
Wrist pain is easy to put up with and slow to go away on its own, because we use our wrists for almost everything. Physiotherapy can help you understand what is going on and build the wrist back up.
What we see most
- Sprains after a fall or a twist
- Tendon pain, often on the thumb side of the wrist, from lifting, gripping or repetitive work
- Pain from desk work, tools or racket sports, where the wrist is doing more than it is used to
- Stiffness and weakness after a fracture, once your cast or splint is off and your fracture clinic is happy for you to start
- Pain when weight-bearing through the hands, in the gym, yoga or gymnastics
We treat wrist problems. Injuries to the hand and fingers are usually best seen by a specialist hand therapist, and we’ll tell you if that applies to you.
What can help
- Working out which structure is sore and what is aggravating it
- Adjusting the loads on the wrist for a while, at work, in the gym or in sport, without stopping everything
- A graded strengthening programme for the wrist and forearm, and for grip
- Hands-on treatment and taping where they help
- Advice on desk set-up, tools and technique
Elbow and wrist problems often overlap. Read more about tennis and golfer’s elbow.
Your first appointment
Your first appointment lasts 45 minutes. We’ll ask how the pain started, what brings it on and what you need your wrist to do. We then examine the wrist, forearm and grip, and check the neck and elbow where relevant. You’ll leave with an explanation of what we’ve found and a plan to start straight away.
After a fracture
A wrist that has been in a cast for several weeks is usually stiff, weak and a little swollen when it comes out. That is expected. Physiotherapy at this stage is about getting movement back first, then grip and strength, then the confidence to lean on it again. We work to the guidance your fracture clinic has given you.
When to get medical help first
- A fall followed by significant pain, swelling or bruising, especially with pain at the base of the thumb, which can mean a broken bone that needs an X-ray
- A wrist that looks out of shape
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand that is constant or getting worse
- A hot, red, swollen wrist, especially if you feel unwell, which can be a sign of infection
The NHS has more on wrist pain and when to get help.
Who you'll see
Our physiotherapists are all chartered and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. We match each patient with the physiotherapist whose skills best fit their problem and what they want to get back to.
Martin Ratcliffe
Physiotherapist,
Acupuncture Physiotherapist
Martin is a chartered physiotherapist with experience in both private practice and elite sport. He has a particular interest in knee injuries, ACL rehabilitation and planning a safe return to sport, and continues to work with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under-23s.
He combines hands-on treatment with progressive exercise rehabilitation, uses VALD ForceDecks force plates to measure strength, jumping and landing, and provides Össur knee braces. A keen runner and golfer, he understands what it means to want to get back to your own sport.
Insurers Martin Works With
Kirk Proto
Physiotherapist,
Acupuncture Physiotherapist
Kirk is a chartered physiotherapist who came to physiotherapy after a career in finance, graduating from the University of Brighton. He has specialist experience in rehabilitation after knee and hip surgery, and a particular interest in long-standing low back pain and nerve-related symptoms such as sciatica.
He combines soft tissue therapy, medical acupuncture and exercise-based rehabilitation, with the focus on getting you back to the things you enjoy. Outside the clinic he enjoys CrossFit and cricket.
Insurers Kirk Works With
Corinna Towler
Physiotherapist,
Restore C-section Scar Specialist,
APPI Pilates trained
Corinna is a chartered physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Southampton, building on an earlier qualification in sports therapy. Her background in elite gymnastics and national-level trampolining gives her a trained eye for how people move.
She is trained in APPI Clinical Pilates, medical acupuncture and RESTORE C-section scar therapy, and combines hands-on treatment with clear, progressive rehabilitation tailored to you.
Prices and insurance
- Initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment (45 minutes): £79
- Follow-up treatment (30 minutes): £64
No GP referral is needed. You pay at your appointment and we’ll give you an invoice to claim back from your insurer if you’re covered. Insurer recognition varies by physiotherapist, so ask us when you book. See our full price list
Frequently asked questions
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, call us and we’ll be glad to help.
- Do you treat hand and finger problems?
-
We treat wrist problems. Injuries to the hand and fingers are usually best seen by a specialist hand therapist, and we’ll point you in the right direction if that applies to you.
- I fell on my wrist. Do I need an X-ray first?
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If there is significant pain, swelling or bruising after a fall, or pain at the base of the thumb, have it checked at a minor injuries unit first. Some wrist fractures are easy to miss.
- How long does a wrist sprain take to settle?
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Many mild sprains improve over a few weeks. If yours isn’t improving, or keeps flaring when you use it, it’s worth having it assessed.
- Can I keep working or training?
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Usually, with some changes. We’ll help you adjust what you’re doing so the wrist can settle while you keep going.
- Do I need a GP referral?
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No, you can book directly. If you’re claiming on private health insurance, check whether your insurer needs a referral first.
Based in Haywards Heath, we see patients from:
You’ll find us at Unit 3, 2-8 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EA. There’s free on-street parking on Sussex Road and two pay and display car parks a short walk away, and our entrance, treatment rooms and toilets are wheelchair accessible. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Book an appointment
If your wrist isn’t settling, it’s worth having it looked at. Book online or call us on 01444 817851.
Reviewed by our chartered physiotherapists, Martin Ratcliffe, Kirk Proto and Corinna Towler, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Last reviewed November 2026.
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