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Give Your Wrists and Hands A Break !

© Roberta Hovermale

Workers with hand intensive jobs can sometimes experience wrist and hand discomfort after being involved for long periods of time in repetitive motions - and Cake Decorators are no exception. In the long run doing some preventative action now can payoff big in the future.

Just as an athlete needs to do warm up exercises before embarking in their physical endeavors, it is just as important to a person that does hand intensive work to do their "warm up exercises" also. Daily exercises could prove to eliminate unnecessary pain and discomfort that you may experience. Just 5 minutes a day before you start a shift of work or after a break can be a tremendous help to you. Also take mini breaks and let your hands rest or change activities.

The following site offers some simple exercises with accompanying sketches that can be easily incorporated in your work routine : http://www.orthohelp.com/carpal.htm

Besides exercises there are also wrist supports and exercizers that can be useful in strengthening the hand and wrist. At http://www.painreliever.com/carpaltunnel... check out the "Eggsercizer" , "TheraPutty" and wrist supports.

Sometimes the pain and discomfort can manifest into Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The carpal tunnel is an anatomical structure formed by a strong fibrous band called the flexor retinaculum (FR) as it stretches over the surfaces of the wrist bones. A small reduction in the space of this tunnel -- such as that caused by swelling -- may exert enough pressure on a nerve in the wrist to cause carpal tunnel syndrome. But before you preform a self diagnosis seek the help of a reputable healthcare professional that can properly diagnose your situation. Having wrist and hand discomfort does not automatically make you a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome candidate so don't hastily jump to conclusions. Play it safe. If you feel pain or discomfort, have it checked out. And think about how you are working and discuss with your healthcare provider what you can do to prevent further strain.

If you would like to see some further articles on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome , the following sites may be of interest to you : http://www.orthopedics.about.com/health/... http://www.drkoop.com/conditions/ency/ar...

None of the information in this article or the links listed above constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult your healthcare provider to properly diagnose you.

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