The strenuous demand we place on our hands in this modern age is of a different brand than our bodies were designed for. In comparison to our ancestors who injured their fingers and wrists by handling sticks or warding off predators, our incessant micro movements of clicking our mouse whilst sitting hunched over our desks is a health concern developing much faster than our genetic evolution can keep up with.
These tiny movements can severely damage your tendons which may lead to a repetitive strain injury or even full-blown carpal tunnel syndrome. With this in mind, let’s look at 10 simple techniques you can employ at home to combat the evils of overworked hands, rehabilitating injuries whilst preventing future trauma.
There is no particularly known method of preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but the chances of occurrence can be minimized by avoiding the commonly reported causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Some Tips To Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
General Health
This point goes without saying, but no responsible health guide can avoid mentioning your overall fitness. If you are overweight, don’t exercise much, smoke and drink excessively, or consume too much salt, you are at a much greater risk for the dreaded syndrome. Always keep an eye on your lifestyle first and foremost.
Take Regular Breaks To Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
We all know what it’s like to be on a roll, banging out your thoughts on the keyboard as fast as possible for hours on end, but it is this exact type of continuous movement that places the greatest danger onto your hands. Simply set an alarm to remind yourself to step away from the computer for 5 – 10 minutes every hour, and you will reduce the threat considerably.
Fix Your Posture
Just like your mommy always told you, a bad posture is the number one enemy when it comes to increasing stress on your wrists. Straighten your spine, sit closer to your keyboard, and adjust your seat’s height until your feet are flat on the floor, allowing your ideas to flow without endangering your well-being.
Be Gentle
Slamming your fingers and fists (or perhaps, at times, even your head) into your keyboard may seem like a therapeutic release for your frustrations, but it is a nightmare for your joints. By a rule of thumb (get it?), always remember that the lighter your touch, the less tension in your hands.
Use a New Mouse
Despite being invented in the 40s, the standard computer mouse has yet to get with the times and sympathise that the average human spends a large majority of their waking hours tapping away on these devices. Luckily, we do have options, one of which is an ergonomic mouse, designed to fit the hand’s natural positioning and reduce muscle strain, whilst looking rather stylish.
Wrist Exercises
There are various wrist exercises you should regularly implement into your hourly routine in order to avoid muscle cramps and nerve irritations. Gently bend your wrist backwards, hold for five seconds, and then bend it forwards, holding once again. Use your other hand to help out for additional stretching points. After immobilization the muscles may become weak, wrist exercises will help in strengthening the weakened wrist.
Finger Exercises
Much like your wrists, we’ve got to keep those fingers limber too. Straighten your hand by keeping your fingers together, and then gently bend them closed at the middle joint, holding for five seconds, then release. You can also stretch your fingers far apart like a frog, hold for five seconds again, and then relax, repeating the process four times every hour or so.
Therapy Putty
If you want to take your exercise game to the next level, then therapy putty is the way to go. By squeezing your stress out into the soft texture, you can strengthen your gripping muscles, whilst stretching it over your fingers like a rubber band will create an additional resistance to benefit your workout. Not to mention, it can also be quite an addictive activity, and you’ll probably end up playing with it just for fun.
Soak in Warm Water
If you feel the aching symptoms of carpal tunnel approaching, one proven method of loosening your tightened muscles is to soak your hands in warm water. This will help relax your tendons and is also the perfect excuse to take a nice long bath in the middle of the day.
Wear a Splint
There is no shame is getting a little extra support sometimes, and if you find your wrists are regularly in a state of discomfort, wearing a splint could help avoid any further complications. With a metal piece bent to perfectly fit your specific wrist shape, this brace should hold your joints firmly in place, alleviating any impact without restricting your day to day responsibilities. Don’t forget to get in touch with a professional expert before choosing wrist support brace for carpal tunnel.
By regularly adopting the above ideas, you could avoid the need for any outside medical attention, whilst remaining positive that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
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