25 May 2026
You Don't Need a GP Referral to See a Physio in Australia
One of the most common myths in Australian healthcare is that you need a GP referral to see a physio. You don't — and here is what that actually means for you.
Read moreCondition guide
Wrist & Hand Pain — Do You Need a Physio, GP, or Something More Urgent?
The right answer depends on your specific symptoms. Triagr will tell you in 2 minutes — free.
Triage my wrist or hand pain now →
Free · No account required · Built by a registered physiotherapist
Why it's not always obvious
Wrist and hand problems range from common repetitive strain conditions to injuries that need prompt imaging and treatment. The same mechanism of injury — such as falling onto an outstretched hand — can result in anything from a minor sprain to something that needs same-day assessment.
Most wrist and hand problems can be assessed and treated directly by a physiotherapist. But certain patterns — particularly after a fall, or with specific symptom combinations — need a different first step.
The details of how your wrist or hand problem started, and exactly where the pain is, matter more than you might expect.
The right next step depends on a few key questions about your specific situation.
If it started suddenly
How your wrist or hand pain started makes a significant difference to what you should do next. Sudden onset after an injury or incident often needs a different approach to pain that has come on gradually.
If it has been going on for a while
How long you have had wrist or hand pain matters. A problem that has been there for weeks or months is managed differently to something that started recently — and the right next step depends on more than just how long it has been.
If your symptoms are severe
The severity of your wrist or hand pain is one factor — but severity alone does not determine where you should go. Some severe presentations are best seen by a physiotherapist directly. Others need a different first step. The combination of your symptoms is what matters.
How Triagr works out the right answer for you
Triagr asks you a series of plain-language questions about your wrist or hand pain — how it started, how long it has been going on, how severe it is, and a few other key details. Based on your specific answers, it gives you a clear recommendation: emergency department, GP, physiotherapist, or self-manage at home. It takes 2 minutes and it's completely free.
Start your free triage →Built by a registered physiotherapist
Plain language — no medical jargon
General health information only — not clinical advice