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Hand Exercise to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

With more people sitting in front of a computer all day, carpal tunnel syndrome, an ailment caused by repetitive motions such as using a keyboard or mouse, is on the increase. You can decrease your chance of being afflicted by practicing warm-up hand exercises.

  1. Finger Stretch

    • A strong, vigorous finger stretching and fist clenching will help invigorate circulation and strengthen the hands. With both hands in front of you, palms downward and elbows bent, fully extend and stretch the fingers. Bend the fingertips of both hands, keeping the hands clenched in a claw-like position, then unbend. Repeat three times. After your fingers are warmed up, clench them inward into a tight fist. Release and lengthen. Repeat five times.

    Thumb Stretch

    • The thumb bend will extend the invigorating and strengthening benefits to your thumb. Hold both hands in front of you, elbows bent and palms upward. Bend each thumb toward the center of its palm until the tip rests beneath the pinkie. Hold for 3 seconds, then release. Keeping your palms upwards, spread your fingers and thumb to their capacity and hold for 5 seconds. Release. Repeat these exercises 10 times.

    Hand Stretch

    • This exercise engages the fingers and thumbs at the same time. Hold both arms in front of you, wrists bent and palms facing forward, as if you were pushing into a wall. Hold for 5 seconds. Straighten the wrists and let the hands hang, relaxed. Bend the wrists again and clench the hands into fists, with the thumb outside the fist and knuckles pointing away from you. Hold for 5 seconds. Again relax your hands and straighten your wrists. Repeat the series 10 times before allowing your arms to drop at your sides and shaking out any tension.

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