Don't ignore hand and wrist pain. Here are 3 ways to alleviate it.
David Wei, an orthopedic hand surgeon at Orthopedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, says if people do experience pain, it could mean that they have carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a specific type of a pinched nerve.
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Doctors say that for many people, hand pain and discomfort can impact their day and interfere with their sleep.
David Wei, an orthopedic hand surgeon at Orthopedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, says if people do experience pain, it could mean that they have carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a specific type of a pinched nerve.
Other symptoms to be aware of include numbness, tingling and pain at night.
Wei says there are three things people can do to alleviate their pain. One is to be mindful of the position of your hands when typing on a computer or using mobile devices.
"When you're typing and your wrist is bent it's going to be pinching a nerve. So, you want to be aware of the position of your wrist. It's much better to have a neutral wrist. It's up and down and straight. When your wrists are backwards, you will actually be putting extra pressure on your median nerve, the nerve that causes carpal tunnel," says Wei.
Another suggestion is to take breaks and move your hands around to reduce repetitive strain and boost blood flow to the median nerve.
Lastly, Wei says people should consider a wrist brace.
"The brace will put a hand in a neutral position and holds it there and it's one of the mainstays of treatment, especially at night," he says.
Wei recommends people do not ignore their pain if it continues.
"When your nerve is involved, you want to be sure you stay on top of it because the outcomes, if you don't, are pretty severe and can be detrimental to the function of your hand," he says.
