Wrist Pain
Around 3% of VIDA users also experience wrist pain. Wrist pain most commonly occurs in your dominant hand.
Whether you're a professional pianist or someone who spends most of the day clicking your mouse, wrist pain can affect anyone. This article will help you learn more about your wrist, understand why it might be causing you discomfort and provide you with actionable steps to manage and prevent any pain.
Did you know?
Your fingers and thumbs are controlled by around 40 muscles which work like a rope and pulley system. This coordination allows effortless movements. However, if there's any disruption or inflammation, it can cause discomfort and prevent your fingers and thumbs from functioning smoothly.
How your wrist works
The anatomy of your wrist is intricate, consisting of bones, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Your wrist connects your forearm to your hand, enabling a wide range of movement. However, it is susceptible to injury from repetitive strain, as we use our hands for so many day-to-day tasks.
Your wrist consists of bones called the radius, ulna and eight carpal bones. Ligaments play a crucial role in connecting your wrist's bones, ensuring proper function and preventing excessive movements that could lead to injury. The muscles responsible for wrist movement are predominantly located within your forearm. The dorsal (outside of your hand) muscles extend your wrist and fingers, while the palmar (your palm side) muscles perform flexion. Some of these muscles also aid in radial and ulnar deviation, which is the tilting of your wrist to the sides.
There are 3 important nerves in our hands: the radial nerve, the median nerve and the ulnar nerve. These three nerves work together to let us feel different things in our hands, like touching something soft or holding a cup! They are like messengers that help our hand understand what we are touching.
Did you know?
Have you ever noticed the triangular hollow on the back of your hand, right at the base of your thumb? That's called the anatomical snuff box. It earned its name because people often used it to snort snuff, which gave them an immediate and powerful nicotine sensation.
What to do and not do?
To relieve wrist pain, consider applying an ice pack, performing gentle stretches, taking painkillers, and, if needed, wearing a supportive wrist splint.
Avoid activities that may intensify your pain and refrain from lifting weight, as these can exacerbate your symptoms.
Things to do
Things to avoid
Common causes of
wrist pain
Wrist pain can result from various conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, degeneration, inflammation and fracture, among others. You can explore common causes in detail here.
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Did you know?
Your wrist has a specially shaped joint called a "condyloid joint" that gives it unique abilities. It allows your wrist to move up and down, side to side, and in circular motions. This flexibility enables you to perform a wide range of activities such as writing, typing, and creating art with your hands.
Recovery, prevention, &
duration of pain
To manage wrist pain, suitable exercises, rest and lifestyle adjustments are crucial. Your VIDA Pain Coach program provides customised wrist pain recovery and prevention exercises. However, before starting any new exercise routine, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance.
The duration of wrist pain can vary, with milder cases like sprains potentially improving within days or weeks, while severe or chronic conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, degeneration and effects of fracture may persist for several weeks or months. Embracing a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient movement, healthy sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management, plays a pivotal role in facilitating wrist pain recovery and minimising the likelihood of future issues.
Knowing when to seek help
While some wrist pain can be managed at home, if you suffer from severe pain, numbness in your fingers, or inability to move your wrists and fingers, you should seek immediate medical attention. Persistent pain, even if not severe, also warrants a check-up.