Feeling Lost in the Healthcare System with No Clear Answers for Your Wrist Pain? Discover a Proven Path to Relief
Online Hand Therapy Program
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If you think that wrist pain is just a part of your life now…
If you don't understand why doctors keep saying there's nothing wrong based on imaging…
If you've been told that pills, injections and surgery are the only options left for you…
If you feel like every healthcare visit just confirms that you are stuck in a loop with no real answers or solutions…
Here's the truth
The Secret to Fixing Your Wrist Pain Isn't More Imaging, Ergonomic Tweaks, Pills, Rest or Seeing Another Specialist
It comes down to three simple things:
Sounds easy right?
It requires having a proven SYSTEM to actually address underlying endurance deficits, activity tolerance and understanding of pain.
We've helped over 3,000 individuals resolve their wrist pain
And we can help you too.
- Building the ENDURANCE of your wrist & hand so you can handle more without strain
- SAFELY increasing your wrist & hand use and learning to navigate flare-ups
- Improving your UNDERSTANDING OF PAIN so you know what you can confidently do each day
Are You Ready to Stop the Cycle of Worry and Uncertainty About Your Wrist Pain and Start Living Your Life Fully Again?
Get Answers From Physical Therapists Who Understand Wrist Pain
On your call we'll help you:
Reviewing your pain journey to establish what’s really driving your pain and why nothing has worked so far.
Showing you the exact framework we’ve used to help clients eliminate years of pain.
Exploring whether our proven methodology is the right fit to fast-track your journey to a pain-free life.
Dr. Matthew Hwu
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Dr. Elliot Smithson
PT, DPT, MS, ATC
About Us
We're two Physical Therapists with the core mission to help those suffering from wrist, hand & forearm pain.
Elliot and I saw a huge gap in the healthcare system of people suffering from wrist, hand & forearm pain.
People weren't getting the care they needed. And many times they were invalidated (gaming, music, programming, etc.)
So we spent the past decade specializing in treating wrist & hand injuries. We've read 1000s of research studies, published a few of our own (see below), spoken at national Physical Therapy Conferences (APTA CSM)…
…and have focused all of our efforts on helping you realize you have MORE CONTROL in managing your wrist pain than you realize.
▶Our Work, Publications & Features
- McGee C, Hwu M, Nicholson LL, Ho KKN. More Than a Game: Musculoskeletal Injuries and a Key Role for the Physical Therapist in Esports. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Sep;51(9):415-417. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0109. PMID: 34465141.
- Bonnar, Daniel & Hwu, Matt & Lee, Sangha & Gradisar, Michael & Suh, Aly & Kahn, Michal. (2023). The Influence of Coaches and Support Staff on the Sleep Habits of Esports Athletes Competing at Professional and Semiprofessional Level. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. 1. 10.1123/jege.2022-0023.
- Smithson EV, Reed Smith E, McIlvain G, Timmons MK. Effect of Arm Position on Width of the Subacromial Space of Upper String Musicians. Med Probl Perform Art. 2017 Sep;32(3):159-164. doi: 10.21091/mppa.2017.3026. PMID: 28988266.
- Hwu, M. (2021). Corrective Exercise Guidelines for Esport Impairments. Conditioning for esports. Human Kinetics.
- Hwu, M. (2021). Physical Training and Exercise Guidelines for Esport Athletes. Conditioning for esports. Human Kinetics.
- Hwu, M. (2021). Physical Training Programming for Esport Teams. Conditioning for esports. Human Kinetics.
- Schary, D. P., Jenny, S. E., & Koshy, A. (2022). Leveling Up Esports Health: Current Status and Call to Action. International Journal of Esports, 1(1). www.ijesports.org/article/70/html
- McGee C and Ho K (2021) Tendinopathies in Video Gaming and Esports. Front. Sports Act. Living 3:689371. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.689371.
- Washington Post (2022). Professional esports athlete injuries. www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2022/03/14/professional-esports-athlete-injuries
- ESPN. The health care hype man of esports. www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/17476003/the-health-care-hype-man-esports
- U.S. Academic Esports. Careers in Esports Webinar Series: Dr. Matt Hwu from 1HP. www.usacademicesports.com/career-webinars/careers-in-esports-webinar-series-dr-matt-hwu-from-1hp
- APTA Allied Health. Event Details: Dr. Matt Hwu. www.aptaali.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1693513
- Razer Press. How Gaming Chairs Benefit Gamers: An Inside Look with Dr. Matthew Hwu, Founder of 1HP. press.razer.com/featured/how-gaming-chairs-benefit-gamers-an-inside-look-with-dr-matthew-hwu-founder-of-1hp-organization
- Yahoo Life. Matthew Hwu, Gamer Physical Therapist. www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/matthew-hwu-gamer-physical-therapist-220000656.html
▶Key Studies & Science Supporting Our Methodology
- Lewis, J., Trinh, P. and Kirsh, D. (2011). A Corpus Analysis of Strategy Video Game Play in Starcraft: Brood War. UC Merced.
- Szeto, G.P.Y., Straker, L.M. and O’Sullivan, P.B. (2005). The effects of speed and force of keyboard operation on neck–shoulder muscle activities in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 35(5), 429–444.
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Balentine, J., Schmidt, G. and Zwibel, H. (2019). Managing the health of the eSport athlete: an integrated health management model. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 5(1), e000467.
- Cook JL, Feller JA, Bonar SF, et al. Abnormal tenocyte morphology is more prevalent than collagen disruption in asymptomatic athletes’ patellar tendons. J Orthop Res 2004;22:334–8.
- Hamilton B, Purdam C. Patellar tendinosis as an adaptive process: a new hypothesis. Br J Sports Med 2004;38:758–61.
- Benjamin M, Ralphs JR. Fibrocartilage in tendons and ligaments-an adaptation to compressive load. J Anat 1998;193(Pt 4):481–94.
- Docking S, Samiric T, Scase E, et al. Relationship between compressive loading and ECM changes in tendons. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2013;3:7–11.
- Cook JL, Purdam C. Is compressive load a factor in the development of tendinopathy? Br J Sports Med 2012;46:163–8.
- Zabrzyński, J., et al. (2018). Electron microscope study of the advanced tendinopathy process of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon treated arthroscopically. Folia Morphologica, 77(2), 371–377.
- Attia, M., et al. (2014). Greater glycosaminoglycan content in human patellar tendon biopsies is associated with more pain and a lower VISA score. Br J Sports Med, 48(6), 469–475.
- Wheeler PC. Nearly half of patients with chronic tendinopathy may have a neuropathic pain component. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022;8(3):e001297.
- Rio, E., et al. The Pain of Tendinopathy: Physiological or Pathophysiological? Sports Med 44, 9–23.
- Ackermann, P., et al. (2023). Tendon pain - what are the mechanisms behind it? Scand J Pain, 23(1), 14–24.
- Bashir U, Bell D, et al. Gadolinium contrast agents. Radiopaedia.org.
- Moseley, Lorimer. (2007). Reconceptualising pain according to modern pain science. Physical Therapy Reviews, 12, 169–178.
- Huisman, E., et al. (2014). Enhanced collagen type I synthesis by human tenocytes subjected to periodic in vitro mechanical stimulation. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 15, 386.
- Cook JL, Rio E, Purdam CR, et al. Revisiting the continuum model of tendon pathology. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:1187–91.
- Cook, J., & Docking, S. (2015). Defining “tissue capacity”: a core concept for clinicians. Br J Sports Med, 49(23), 1484–1485.
- Malliaras, P., et al. (2015). Patellar Tendinopathy: Clinical Diagnosis, Load Management, and Advice for Challenging Case Presentations. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 45(11), 887–898.
- Benjamin, M et al. Structure-function relationships in tendons: a review. J Anat 2008;212(3):211–28.
- Docking, S. I., Ooi, C. C., & Connell, D. (2015). Tendinopathy: Is Imaging Telling Us the Entire Story? J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 45(11), 842–852.
- Bley, B. & Abid, W. Imaging of Tendinopathy: A Physician’s Perspective. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(11):826–8.
- Magnusson, S., Langberg, H. & Kjaer, M. The pathogenesis of tendinopathy: balancing the response to loading. Nat Rev Rheumatol 6, 262–268 (2010).
Trusted by Tech Professionals & Pro Gamers
Real clients who saw multiple doctors, therapists, and specialists before finding 1HP.
“I'm able to use the computer without pain and in my cubital tunnel syndrome burning sensation is totally gone. And 6 years I had seen all of these specialists and finally found 1HP.”
History: 7 years of chronic wrist pain
Dx: FCU Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Extensor Tendinopathy (ED, ECRB)
Mayur B. · Consultant
20 Weeks to Recover
“I tried the Sarno approach and found it didn't really work anymore and knew something was missing. 1HP actually treated the underlying issues while also teaching me why the psychosomatic approach worked before.”
History: 6 years of wrist pain, psychosomatic approach stopped working
Dx: Extensor Digitorum Tendinopathy R>L, FCU Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, L. Rotator Cuff Strain
Gareth B. · Court Reporter, Gamer
12 Week Resolution
“I was dealing with some wrist and shoulder pain for some time so I reached out to Matt from 1HP and he really helped me get rid of the pain. If you are dealing with something similar, you already know what to do.”
Dx: Extensor Digitorum Tendinopathy R>L, Biceps Tendinopathy
Michel Magalhães · Professional CS2 Player
5 Week Resolution
“Ever since I've been working with Matt, he's been able to get me to a point where I can play 5-6 hours every single day with literally zero problems. This is after a full day already spent at the computer.”
Dx: Thenar Muscle Strain, Upper Trapezius Strain
Seth Ho · Collegiate Esports Director
5 Weeks to Recover Completely
“I've been working on arm, hand, wrist, and elbow pain for years. My doctors couldn't find anything with MRI or X-rays. I've tried other Physical Therapists and Chiropractors and I made more progress using the Troubleshooter Programs at 1HP than months of in-person PT. I have no more pain and have been able to get back to long hours of WoW without any issue.”
Dx: Extensor Digitorum, ECU Tendinopathy, FDS / FDP Strain
Austin · Database Management, World of Warcraft
8 Week Resolution
“From not being able to open my hands or grasp things like bottles without pain — to full functioning in my right hand and complete elimination of tingling in my left. I'd tried lots of PT and exercises before, but I really learned more about my body working with Matt. Now I can work and play games as long as I want without any symptoms.”
Dx: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, EPB Tendinopathy
Victor · Software Architect, Gamer
4 Weeks to Recover
“Almost immediately after the first set of exercises I had about 80% relief. I got rid of numbness completely in one of my fingers. My chest opened up, no longer having the tight sensation. My lifts went up since then (bench press & military press) because of the overall comfort.”
Dx: Mild Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Justin · Operations, Ex Professional Call of Duty Player
2 Week Resolution
“Before working with 1HP I would have immediate pain drawing or holding the mouse, and within 30 minutes I'd feel sore in the pinky and ring finger — plus a lot of tingling, all completely resolved now. Over the holidays I worked and drew 8-9 hours daily without any pain. If you can only focus on one thing, focus on strengthening — building endurance.”
History: Chronic problem for 2 years, pain still present after surgery
Dx: Flexor & Extensor Tendinopathy, Thenar Muscle Strain, Knuckle Joint Irritation
Patrick · Artist, Games Industry
12 Weeks to Recover
“For the last 3 years I had wrist pain that at its worst I couldn't hold a pen, zip up my fly, or open bottles. I had to give up things I really enjoyed and quit gaming for an extended period. Now I'm able to work and play consistently 3-4 hours without any pain. I even played 8 hours straight recently. It is almost like nothing has happened at all.”
Dx: Flexor Muscle Strain, FPB Strain R>L, Nerve Irritation
Ezra · Cybersecurity, Gamer
6 Week Resolution
“I was limited to 1-2 hours on the computer before hitting 6-7/10 pain and was starting to lose hope after reading I might have to quit gaming and change careers. All the issues are mostly gone at this point — I just completed a 12-hour gaming session with zero pain and feel confident applying for desk-heavy jobs now.”
History: 2+ years of bilateral wrist pain, limited to 1-2 hours of computer use
Dx: Bilateral Wrist Extensor Tendinopathy with Central Sensitization
Alex · CNC Machinist, CAD Designer, Gamer
12 Week Resolution
Dx: Flexor & Extensor Tendinopathy L.
Arne · Psychologist, Gamer
12 Week Resolution
Dx: Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon Irritation R>L
Loic · Desk Worker, SIM Racing
10 Week Resolution
Dx: Multi-Region Tendinopathy (APL/EPB, FCU, ED)
Jan · Programmer, Gamer
6 Week Resolution
Dx: Flexor-Based Tendinopathy with De Quervain's & Trigger Finger
Halie · Cook, Tattoo Artist, Climber
7 Week Resolution