Osteopathy wrist and hand pain: When the Problem Comes from the Elbow, Shoulder, or Even the Liver(Osteopathy NDG – Côte-Saint-Luc – Montreal)

Wrist or hand pain is often attributed to overuse, tendinitis, or a local joint problem. However, in many cases, the origin is higher up in the musculoskeletal chain—at the elbow, shoulder, brachial plexus… and sometimes even the liver.

At Osteopathy NDG Vincent Beaugrand-Champagne, located in NDG, near Côte-Saint-Luc, we analyze each pain holistically to identify all possible causes, both local and distant.

Osteopathy wrist and hand pain the Link Between:

The muscles and nerves that control the wrist and hand originate in the elbow, arm, and shoulder. A restriction of mobility in the shoulder or compression at the elbow can therefore create symptoms at a distance:

1. tingling in the fingers,

2. loss of grip strength,

3. pain radiating into the forearm or hand,

4. stiffness or heaviness in the upper limb.

Osteopathy allows us to assess these mechanical relationships and release tension in key areas: the acromioclavicular joint, scapula, glenohumeral joint, and elbow.

The Brachial Plexus: An Essential Nerve Junction:

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves located at the base of the neck that innervates the entire upper limb.

Muscle tension in the neck (scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius) or a thoracic restriction can irritate or compress this plexus, causing pain that radiates down the arm, elbow, wrist, or hand.

Osteopathy wrist and hand pain injuries will work to release the cervical, thoracic, and rib cage tissues helps reduce this irritation and restore nerve communication.

The Role of the Phrenic Nerve and the Liver in Certain Neck Pains:

A lesser-known aspect—but often relevant in osteopathy—concerns the phrenic nerve, a nerve originating in the neck (C3–C5) that descends to the diaphragm and also innervates Glisson's capsule, the membrane surrounding the liver.

When the liver or diaphragm is under tension (e.g., after poor digestion, prolonged stress, or prolonged sitting), this irritation can be perceived as pain in the neck or right shoulder.

This is a typical example of viscerosomatic referred pain: the brain interprets visceral tension (here, of the liver or hepatic capsule) as cervical muscle discomfort.

How Osteopathy Helps Restore Balance:

Osteopathy aims to identify and treat the primary cause of the pain, whether it is muscular, joint-related, nervous, or visceral.

Treatment may include:

1. releasing the brachial plexus,

2. working on the diaphragm and liver,

3. treating cervical and scapular tensions,

4. normalizing the elbow and wrist joints.

This holistic approach allows for better nerve and vascular circulation, a lasting reduction in pain, and improved mobility of the upper limb.

Osteopathy NDG – near Côte-Saint-Luc

Located at 6575 Somerled Avenue (office 204), Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, just minutes from Côte-Saint-Luc, Montreal West, and Hampstead, Vincent Beaugrand-Champagne, osteopath and massage therapist, welcomes adults, athletes, and pregnant women for personalized care.

Book an appointment today to relieve your wrist, hand, neck, or shoulder pain.

📞 (514) 910-3830