What causes poor grip strength?

What causes poor grip strength is now a common question we get as physical therapists.

Weak grip strength refers to a lack of strength in the muscles responsible for gripping objects firmly with your hand or hands.

Grip strength is an important aspect of hand and upper body strength and is essential for various daily activities and tasks, as well as for sports and physical activities.

There are several potential causes of weak grip strength, including:

1. Muscle Weakness:
   • Weakness in the muscles of the hand, forearm, or upper arm can lead to a weak grip. This can result from lack of exercise and strength training.
   • The average time on a smartphone is now 3 hours and 15 minutes.  The increased usage of certain muscles for fine motor control to tap on a screen without gross strength usage during the day is impacting our overall health.
2. Nerve Damage:
   • Nerve injuries or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the signals sent to the muscles, leading to a weakened grip.
3. Arthritis:
   • Arthritis, especially in the hands, can cause joint pain and stiffness, which can reduce grip strength.
4. Injuries:
   • Injuries to the hand, wrist, or forearm can result in weakened grip strength, especially if there was damage to the muscles or nerves.
5. Medical Conditions:
   • Certain medical conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy, can lead to muscle weakness and reduced grip strength.
6. Aging:
   • As people age, they may experience a natural decline in grip strength due to muscle and joint changes.

There is an incredible amount of research on grip strength.  Grip strength has been found to be a useful indicator for overall health, a vital sign, and as a biomarker of health status.

Weak grip strength can impact a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks like opening jars, carrying groceries, or holding onto objects securely. It can also affect athletic performance in sports that require a strong grip, such as weightlifting, rock climbing, or tennis.

Treatment options for weak and painful grip

Physical therapists can discuss health exercise programs for you but more specifically, we can help if you have a weak or painful grip. A systematic approach of proper testing to determine impairments, then manual therapy and muscular re-training is usually necessary to get better.

At PhysioFit of NC, we have the expert team in musculoskeletal conditions to help you to the fullest.

We provide a comprehensive treatment approach through our Grip Strength Program.  This includes manual therapy and exercises to improve finger and hand mobility and wrist stability. The primary goal of treatment is to address the underlying muscular imbalance issues and strength deficits causing impaired grip.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today so we can help you!