wrist pain

[Venkat]

i dont know if i am in the right section for this...i have wrist pain, i try to be very aware of my body mechanics..and keep my wrist neutral, and use my forearms as much as possible, but by the end of a busy day my right wrist is killing me..and suggestions or home remedies???

 

[jimmy_mankoo_86]

This may be something you're already doing, but ice it. I use one of those cold/hot packs that are 99 cents from walmart. I have two in the freezer and when one gets warm, I swap them.

I hate taking pills of any kind, but when that kind of wrist pain really gets me I take some anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen when I get home. I don't take it for the pain, but for the anti-inflammatory effect. I find that when I have another full day ahead, it can really help things not get over irritated.

Massage yourself (or get someone else to do it! if I am hurting real bad, I'll have my hubby who is not a therapist rub it some) with some kind of joint or muscle cream. I like to use some Ayurvedic formulations I have, but anything is good -- arnica, biofreeze, tiger balm, etc.

And rest! Don't use the computer or mouse a lot with that hand, or whatever else you do at home (gardening, knitting, cleaning).

You may just be doing too many massages. Not sure how long you've been doing this, but it took me a few years (and a few injuries) to find out what my limit is and to know when to stop. How does your wrist feel the next day? Is it fully recovered and ready for the same workload, or does it still feel sore?

Good luck! I'm sure there are some other threads around dealing with this question. Oh, and of course, get some real bodywork. Someone who can focus on your upper body and do some structural/myofascial work can really help, as you may have some restrictions in the neck/shoulders that are affecting your wrists.

 

[sajeesh E.R.]

This thread on "Hand Pain" has lots of good tips that apply to wrist pain as well:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2456

 

[LoNely GirL~]

thanks for the info...yesterday by the end of the day i could barely finish my last massage, i had to think of other ways of doing the same stroke.. today my wrist is sore....as far as i know i only have one today, not till later in the day...i tried to call out but- it was a big fat NO! (i work in a spa)
thanks again!

 

[Emma Jean]

I suffered with the same thing early in my massage career -- right wrist pain. I overdid it with too many hours of massage, too many days in a row, too quickly, instead of 'building up' to it. Okay, so the damage was done, now what? In my case, it was inflammation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon, right at the point where the wrist ulnar-deviates, that was giving me trouble.

Here's what seemed to work for me:

Temporarily, I used ibuprofen, as well as icing, to reduce the swelling;

worked the extensors AND flexors on that right arm every chance I got;

chiropractic adjustments, prefaced by electric stim on those flexors and extensors;

slept with a wrist brace [the kind with a metal splint to keep the joint from flexing/extending] to protect that joint while I slept;

realized that I was using my right hand/arm more (being right-handed), and focused on using my left hand/arm as much/more as my right;

was (and still am) extremely careful about what I do in my life outside of massage that might be contributing to or perpetuating the wrist injury. Things like kneeling when gardening and supporting myself with my right hand/wrist/arm, carrying something heavy with my right hand and putting extra stress on that wrist (instead of supporting it, using my whole arm instead of just my hand, etc).

It took probably six months for me to say I felt 'healed'. I still feel it a little, if I've been working at my peak (I realized that 20 hrs/week is my max). I see my chiro weekly, and he makes sure to put some EMS pads on my flexor/extensors on that side to keep them in good shape. I still use the wrist brace to protect my wrist when I sleep. I realized that sometimes I was sleeping with my wrist cranked in extension or flexion, and that was surely contributing to it the problem.

I hope some of these suggestions may help you, if your injury is similar to what I have/had (ie, a muscle/tendon issue, as opposed to arthritis, or something else ...?).

 

[maskedone]

ding- thanx for the info-today i only had 2 apts but...i tried a few differents things just to get by, i used the biotone polar therapy..that felt like it just stung...then after my apts, i put iced on it then dipped in parafin ..it feels ok but when i go back to work wed-sat. i know i have a lot of work ahead of me and i am a little worried, ...i have to get one of the braces i guess....again thanks for the info.

 

[A D]

Okay, after reading some of your posts I can see that you work in a spa and do not feel comfortable telling them no. However, as you progress in your career, you really do need to come to a place, or work in a place, where you can say "no" if need be. Your health and wellness comes first -- otherwise you can't help your clients!

So, given your situation, I would say you need to develop a routine that uses your hands minimally. The video "Forearm Dance" is very useful for some nice swedish type relaxation techniques you can do with your forearms and elbows. Also, any structural bodywork/deep tissue classes will teach you how to use your fists, knuckles and forearms/elbows to good effect. You really need options other than your hand and thumb to give compressive pressure.

Even if you have none of those resources (classes), grab a friend and practice on them. Make a vow not to use pressure with your hands or fingers for the whole time. Find out what you can do with your forearms, elbows, and fists (loosely held fist, thumb is hanging out, not clenched) and then use those techniques at the spa. If your wrist is hurting enough, you have probably already found a lot of these.

I went through a period where I could not use my right hand AT ALL. I couldn't open a door or pick up a coffee cup, let along rub someone with that hand. Believe it or not, I could give a full body massage using only my left hand, forearm and elbow, along with my right forearm and elbow. It works, you've just got to be creative.

 

[callum the 3rd]

thanks for the info...believe it or not this week i think i have been the most creative....for the most part i use my forearms and fists and knuckles anyways....but there are times that i do use my hands that i can think of any other way to do that stroke....like an opening effleurage down the erector spinae...i have also been very aware of keeping my wrist neutral you know...oh as far as being assertive with my apts...sometimes i dont know what my limit is until it has already reached that point..i used to just massage part time, but then i went full time in may and i am exhausted...i did take a peek at the forearm dance video...it seems like a good technique to incorporate, which i do some of it already...but i would like to see the whole video for more ideas...

 

[louise d]

Try to get worked on more often yourself... many people who have CTS for instance have a problem higher up in the neck & shoulders.
Work the wrists and forearms but don't forget to work the neck and shoulders too!!!
See if you can trade with others in your area... after all they need bodywork too! You may even pick up a few tips from one another!