Forearm and Hand

Elbow, forearm, wrist and finger pain, as well as numbness that imitates carpal tunnel syndrome, can be referred from the forearm extensors and flexors, the thumb muscles and the small muscles of the hand. Repetitive gripping, typing and phone use are frequent triggers.

This Forearm and Hand page lists 19 symptom patterns and 19 muscles. Start with the symptom that matches where you feel pain: each symptom page shows which muscles are the primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Then open a muscle page to see where its trigger points sit, how to locate them by palpation, common causes and evidence-based self-care.

Referred pain maps describe typical patterns, so use them as a starting point rather than a diagnosis. Trigger points often develop in groups: when one muscle in this region is overloaded, its neighbours usually compensate, which is why the symptom pages list several muscles. If pain is severe, constant, follows an injury or comes with numbness, weakness, fever or night pain, see a clinician before trying self-treatment.