Hand and Wrist Pain
Video by Dr. Bryan Stephens
I have more recently seen patients here in East Dallas coming in due to hand and wrist pain. While there are many sources for what is causing the overall pain, a big part is the movement or imbalance of movement that takes place between the flexors and extensors of the wrist and fingers. This is similar to what happens in the neck and back when we sit for too long and hunch forward. Tightness builds in some muscles, the flexors, while the extensors become weak and lengthened. This creates inflammation which causes the neck pain and back pain. This is true with the hands as well. By holding phones and typing at computers being so prevalent through the population, tension builds in the hand flexors and the extensors are often left out which creates the swelling that causes the hand and finger pain.
There is an easy exercise that I go over with my patients based on extending the fingers against resistance. Put rubber bands or a bracelet around the outside of the fingers and open the hand. After holding that position for 2-3 seconds, you can release and return to the starting point. Repeat that movement for repetitions of 15-20 times. Often, one or two rubber bands is enough resistance to start with because the muscles are so weak, but you can build up to using more rubber bands or a rubber bracelet that takes more work to expand. By building up the strength of the hand and keeping the joints moving, it helps decrease the inflammation and chance for degeneration through the joints.
References
“Hand exercises were well tolerated and significantly improved activity performance, grip strength, pain and fatigue in women with [hand osteoarthritis].”
Hennig, Toril, et al. “Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.” Annals of the rheumatic diseases 74.8 (2015): 1501-1508.
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When you are looking for a Chiropractor near you that you can trust, choose one who will not only get rid of your back pain, neck pain, or headaches but who will also guide you to living a healthier lifestyle to keep you out of pain. Our East Dallas Doctors, located in Lakewood at the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams Rd., are here to teach you that taking care of your mental health and getting the proper nutrients are just as important as the chiropractic adjustment to stay healthy.
