Health Home > Fitness > Hand and wrist movements

Hand and wrist movements

Healthwise
By Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH

Did you find this helpful?

Rate this article:
60% of users found this article helpful.

Try to avoid hand and wrist movements that can cause pain and other symptoms.

  • Keep your wrists straight or only slightly bent. Avoid activities that bend or twist the wrists for long periods of time.
  • Take frequent breaks from typing or other repetitive activities to stretch your hands and wrists.
  • Avoid doing repetitive movements (hammering, typing, knitting, quilting, sweeping, raking, playing racquet sports, rowing) for long periods of time without rest breaks.
  • Avoid holding objects in one position for long periods of time (holding a book or playing cards).
  • Watch your grip. Gripping with only the thumb and index finger can stress the wrist. Whenever possible, use your whole hand to grasp an object.
  • Reduce the speed and force of repetitive hand movements. Type with a soft touch.
  • When working with tools that vibrate (drills, sanders), use specially designed gloves that support the wrist and have vibration-absorbing padding. Take frequent breaks, and switch hands often.

Credits

Author Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedics
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Last Updated October 29, 2008
Last Updated: 10/29/2008

Health Resources

help

Featured Expert

Yahoo! Experts share their tips and advice

Gabby's Guide to Health & Fitness

By Gabrielle Reece

See All Yahoo Experts »

Yahoo! Health Groups

Join the Conversation

Join a Yahoo! Group and discuss with other memebers in the group. Share tips and experiences

See All Yahoo Groups »

Tip of the Day

Provided by: RealAgeNov 5, 2009

Piling your favorite sandwich fixings on the right kind of bread could mean healthier blood pressure. The right choice? One hundred percent whole-grain.

Read More »

View All Tips »