In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we rarely think about the silent endurance of our wrists and fingers.
From the constant clicking and typing required by office jobs to the relentless scrolling on our cell phones, not to mention holding the steering wheel while driving or preparing meals in the kitchen, these little joints do a tremendous amount of work.
As yoga expert Saurabh Bothra recently highlighted in an Instagram post, our wrists do “a lot more work than we realize,” often leading to stiffness, tension and long-term discomfort.
He suggests the solution is simple: incorporate regular, mindful wrist stretches into our daily routine. These exercises are not just for people who are currently experiencing pain; they are an essential form of self-care, designed to promote flexibility and strength for everyone.
In a post on Instagram, Saurabh Bothra said, “Typing, cooking, scrolling or driving, our wrists do a lot more work than we realize. Try these simple wrist exercises to reduce stiffness and strengthen your wrists.”
“Perfect for anyone with or without wrist pain.
“Your wrists also deserve a little self-care.”
By taking a few minutes every day to gently stretch and release tension in these hard-working joints, we can improve circulation, reduce the risk of overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and improve overall dexterity.
Simple stretches can include gentle wrist rotations, prayer stretches, or wrist extensions and flexions.
By giving your wrists this dedicated attention, you're investing in your comfort and ensuring they stay strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of your busy schedule for years to come.
Repetitive stress injuries
Typing, scrolling and driving often put a strain on the hands and wrists, leading to a number of common problems. One of the most well-known is carpal tunnel syndrome, in which repetitive stress causes swelling that compresses the median nerve, resulting in numbness, tingling and pain in the fingers and hands.
Another condition is De Quervain's tenosynovitis, also known as 'texting thumb'. This condition involves inflammation and pain at the base of the thumb, caused by excessive gripping and scrolling movements.
In addition, continued tension can lead to generalized tendinitis or tenosynovitis in the flexors and extensors of the wrist, manifesting as chronic pain and stiffness that affects grip strength and dexterity.
Good posture and stretching are essential for prevention.
