Do you experience frequent pain, numbness, or tingling in your hands and wrists when spending time on a computer or engaging in physical activities?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that results from repetitive motions and prolonged pressure on the nerves in your wrists.
Read more: A Guide to the Causes and Treatments of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Without proper prevention, hand injuries can become a bigger problem, interfering with daily activities and even leading to long-term medical issues.
Here are five easy ways to protect your hands and wrists from injury:
1. Stretch Regularly
Stretching is a great method to keep your muscles, tendons, and ligaments limber and functioning correctly.
Doing hand stretches for about five minutes each day can help strengthen the muscles in your hands, wrists, and forearms.
You can do simple stretches like the wrist flexor stretch and extensor stretch to help improve flexibility. You can look into yoga poses targeting your hands and wrists for a more comprehensive stretching routine.
2. Use Ergonomic Tools & Equipment
Simple activities like cleaning or cooking do not just cause hand injuries. Improperly designed tools and equipment for work purposes can also contribute to hand injuries. To reduce the risk of injury, using ergonomically designed tools is essential. Ergonomic tools are designed to comfortably fit the shape of your hands, which helps prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. These include gardening gloves, scissors, and screwdrivers. Wrist and hand braces are also great tools to use to prevent injuries from activities that require repetitive motions. These tools can help limit the stress placed on your hands and wrists, allowing you to complete tasks without putting yourself at risk of injury.
Additionally, special attention should be paid to the handles of any tools used. Ensure the handles have a good grip and fit comfortably in your hands. If not, consider swapping out for ones that do so you can reduce the risk of hand injuries.
3. Wear Protective Gear
Since hand injuries can occur in both industrial and non-industrial settings, wearing protective gear is crucial to preventing them. Workers should always wear gloves when working in factories or other industrial environments to protect their hands from sharp objects and chemicals. Furthermore, specialized hand guards are available for activities involving repetitive motions that can help reduce the risk of injury.
4. Take Breaks
Taking regular breaks is an essential step in preventing hand injuries. Making repetitive motions over long periods can strain the hands, making them more vulnerable to injury. To reduce risk, people should take short breaks throughout their workday and stretch their hands and wrists before resuming their duties.
5. Equipment Guarding
Equipment guarding is another crucial step in preventing hand injuries. It involves using physical barriers or shields to protect hands from machinery and other hazardous tools. This prevents injury and improves efficiency by allowing workers to access hard-to-reach places safely. Furthermore, equipment guarding ensures the safety of both workers and bystanders.
Call Midwest Pain Clinics for the best hand specialist in Omaha, NE. We understand how important it is to protect your hands from injury, and our team at MidWest Pain Clinics is here to help. Our team of hand specialists can advise you on the best ergonomic practices for reducing the risk of hand injuries.
