Do you have painful wrists?

We use are wrists all the time.  More now as we live our lives on line meaning we use computers more and then we often go to the gym and lift weights all of which load are wrists.   Most people have heard of RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and is characterised by pain in the wrist and forearm from repetitive use.   In addition, you have probably heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist disorder induced by compression on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.

 

Both are characterised by:

  • numbness, pins & needles, tingling, weakness in the arms and/or hands
  • pain in forearms often a full ache but can become a sharp/shooting pain when using your hands and arms
  • pain in palms which may be worse at night

Risk factors which may contribute are:

  • Computer usage greater than 2 to 4 hours per day
  • Infrequent rest break when using a computer
  • Hypermobile joints
  • Poor posture
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • A stressful work environment
  • Being overweight

If your wrists or forearms feel inflamed, then you will benefit from being benefited from resting and being iced.

I find in clinic, clients are often surprised if I massage their forearms at how “tight they feel”.  If you are having problems or pain in your wrists, RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome then you may benefit from massage.

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    Reference

    Roffe C1, Sills S, Crome P, Jones P (2002), Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in the treatment of chronic persistent leg cramps. Med Sci Monit. 2002 May;8(5): p326-30.

     

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