Hand Pain

[jd spoonworthy]

Hi All!  I was somehow led to this site while trying to find a solution for my aching hands.  I work with them extensively for up to 10 hours daily, and they REALLY ACHE by the end of the day.  Just a hunch, as MT's, yours might too.   ???  Any suggestions for "healing the healer"?  I would really appreciate any remedies you might suggest!

 

[Mrs Lovett]

What kind of work do you do and what exactly are your hand motions.... gripping, twisting, etc.etc.?  You may want to consider getting some acupuncture or massage work -- for you.... and I know we have at least one reflexologist who may be of help to you, for a few ideas.

 

[ggs]

Hand Pain

I don't know what kind of work you are doing, but here are a few suggestions...First, watch your body mechanics. Make sure that you are not torquing your wrist. Keep it straight when you work. Use slow calculated movements and not fast or jerky movements.Using your opposite hand, jiggle your finger at the joints periodically to keep the sinovial fluid moving around the joint. See a chiropractor about your cervical spine. Sometimes hand pain can be directly related to a pinched nerve in the cervical spine.And of course... regular massage does wonders. My mother had constant pain in her hands from driving a school bus for years. After just two hand massages, her pain was gone. And last but not least. 10 hours? You may be expecting more from your hands then they are capable of. Be kind to yourself.-Melody

 

[sixxy]

Thanks, Texas-Gal and Melody, for your replies.  I work in a manufacturing environment with various duties, all of which require gripping, twisting, and rapid movement.(operating machinery, sewing, packing, lifting, etc.)I will check out the chiropractor, and massage, which will be a real treat...how about hand exercises, which could be performed daily?  Any ideas?

 

[Tuddy]

Hand Pain

There's a great book out called "Trigger Point Therapy Worbook" by Clair Davies that describes many pain issues and ways you can work on yourself to alleviate them. I think there might be some stretches he recommends, although if you are having chronic pain, stretches might not be the best thing for your hands at this point. I've been to see a Neuromuscular practitioner, who uses techniques based on the same studies that Davies based his book on, for chronic shoulder issues. The treatment was a bit painful, but well worth it. Although my shoulder is not 100%, it's much better after 1 treatment.Good luck on your search.

 

[Miss Smith]

Hand Pain

Alison, have you tried icing your hands and arms when you get home? Or even just running cold water over them - all the way up to above the elbow. It helps a lot with the inflammation you can get from repetitive motions. If I can remember to dunk my arms in cold water after doing massage, I feel a lot better later.

 

[Gypsy]

Hand Pain

A few suggestions that have helped me:1. Keep your arms always moving toward your object and make sure you are not pulling your muscles and joints back towards your shoulders.2. Do some hand and arm stretches every hour to get things moving - some good ones are:- finger tapping: tap fingertips of right hand to fingertips of left hand, tap hard enough to hear them bone-against-bone- arm circles: rotate your arms at the shoulder joint in large circles clockwise several times and then counter clockwise.- praying hands: palms together as though praying at mid-chest with your elbows pointing away from the sides of the body move your hands (hold palm position) above your head and gradually to outstretch arms completely push palms away from each other and slowly bring hands to your sides. Repeat several times.- heel knocks: with the heels of your hands tap against each other several times with medium force. Rotate wrists so that your hands meet at lowest thumb joint, across heel of palm and to outside of hand just below pinky finger. Knock for one to two minutes.3. Don't forget to value your hands and take good care of them. Healing lotions, soothing hand soaks with milk and honey, heated moist towel wraps are all good ideas for taking the pain out at the end of your long day. I highly suggest getting at the least a hand and arm massage, and if possible a 30 minute hand reflexology session from someone in your area trained and certified to practice reflexology. I work on plumbers, electricians, computer guys, typists, bodyworkers, and the like who use their hands to extremes in their employment. It is essential that you take care of your hands now before you end up ruining them.I also agree with the other poster who suggested your long shifts might be more than your hands can take. Sometimes its not an option to change jobs or careers, but cutting back on hours might save your hands for use in later years.

 

[Sunnyday]

Thanks Dragonflies, for your suggestions!  My fiance and I (we have the same job, and suffer the same consequences  )have been trying the exercises you suggested, and we're enjoying the results.... ;D.  We're not working quite as many hours, only 8 per day....which helps, but also find that by doing these exercises both before and after work seems to help alot!  We have also located a massage therapist in our area, and have gone for one session.  What a PLEASURE!!!  Again, thanks!

 

[Clare.]

That's great news Alison. I'm glad you guys were able to cut back your hours, it's important to honor your body and understand its limits.  Thanks for giving us the opportunity to help you by posting on here! Gives us the chance to learn from each other when specific issues come up.

 

[MiakoSamuio]

Hand Pain

I use hot stones on nearly all of my clients and it also helps relax my hands. So that they don't get as tired and only doing 4 to 6 max a day helps also.