Personal Best Health Wellness - Wrist Exercises

Hands and wrists that are tight and inflexible are more likely to get injured. Also, if your hands and wrists perform the same motion over and over all day long (using a keyboard, cutting hair, driving a bus), you’re at higher risk for injury. The solution: Take frequent hand and wrist breaks and gently stretch those tender tendons, ligaments and muscles.

These easy exercises only take five minutes and you can do them right at your desk or work station. Repeat them 10 times, then let your arms hang loose and shake them for a few seconds.

1. Extend your arms in front of you. Flex your hands as though you are pushing against a wall or doing a handstand. Hold as you count to five.
2. Make tight fists and bend both wrists downward. Hold as you count to five.
3. Straighten your wrists and relax your fingers for a count of five.

Workplace tips: Straighten your wrists as you type, and keep your fingers loose ... Don’t pound the keyboard ... Relax your shoulders and place your work close-by so you don’t have to crane your neck ... sit in a chair with adequate back support and with your feet on the floor.

The bottom line: Take preventive steps now, and your hard-working hands will stay that way for a lifetime.