Our wrists play a vital role in everyday life, especially when it comes to most jobs, whether it is office work or manual labor like construction or farming. Repetitive hand motions and constant movement can lead to wrist pain, tingling, and numbness often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Learn how to keep your wrists happy and healthy throughout the work week with these helpful carpal tunnel syndrome tips.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a small passageway in the palm side of the wrist. Its unique structure allows the median nerve to travel through the wrist and into the hand and fingers. Due to the narrowness of the carpal tunnel, the median nerve is highly susceptible to becoming compressed and leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
This complicated condition is known for causing wrist pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and fingers. Repetitive wrist and hand movements or injuries like wrist sprains or fractures can eventually progress into carpal tunnel syndrome.
Any occupation that requires repetitive or awkward wrist and arm movements can lead to a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Some occupations often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome are manufacturing, construction, and office work like typing or writing.
Wrist Care Tips for Work
Anyone who routinely uses their hands for work can be highly susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome, regardless of occupation. If your job requires nimble hands and fast reflexes, take the steps below to keep your wrists pain free.
1) Wear Proper Wrist Protection
If you tend to wear wrist accessories throughout the day, like watches or bracelets, make sure the bands aren’t too tight around your wrists. Accessories that are too constricting can irritate your nerves, especially while working. If your job is more hands-on or labor-intensive, make safety your priority. Wear protective gear like gloves, wrist wraps, or braces to help provide cushioning and protect your wrists from both traumatic and overuse injuries.
2) Reduce Repetition
Whether you’re typing on a keyboard or painting a masterpiece, your wrists need a break from repetitive movements. When performing repetitive tasks that require your full attention, your grip may become more awkward or tighter than necessary.
Additionally, poor wrist form, such as gripping too tightly, twisting too forcefully, or overextending the wrist, can all cause the tissues in your wrist and arm to become inflamed. This can further constrict the median nerve. Taking a few minutes to decompress and stretch at work can not only help you mentally reset and reduce stress but can also help relieve any built-up tension.
3) Improve Wrist Mobility and Strength
With exercises that improve wrist mobility and arm strength, we are preparing our wrists to do more repetitive movements required for our jobs like typing, twisting, pushing, and pulling.
Try these three quick exercises that can help release muscle tension and strengthen your wrists.
*Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
Airrosti Provides Fast Wrist Pain Relief
Carpal tunnel syndrome can hinder your ability to perform day to day tasks, as well as successfully work. If these carpal tunnel syndrome tips for work aren’t quite doing the trick and you are still experiencing symptoms, schedule an appointment with Airrosti, either in-person or virtual!
An Airrosti Provider will assess your condition and combined with hands-on manual therapy, will create a personalized treatment plan to help promote improved mobility and strengthen your weakened wrists. In addition, you will also receive resources and tools to help continue your recovery at home.
For more information, call us at (800) 404-6050.
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