Five bad habits that cause hand pain and how to mitigate them

Our hands are an incredibly versatile and essential tool in our daily lives. However, we often take their importance for granted until we start to experience pain in them. These aches and pains can be the result of bad habits that, while seemingly harmless, can have long-term consequences for the health of our hands. Below, we’ll explore five of these bad habits and how we can combat them to keep our hands in top condition.

1. Awkward postures when using electronic devices:

In the digital age, we spend a significant amount of time using electronic devices such as smartphones and computers. However, we often adopt awkward postures that put additional pressure on our hands and wrists. Incorrect typing position or prolonged use of the phone can lead to neck, arm and hand strains and pains.

Solution: Adjust the height and position of your devices to maintain an ergonomic posture. Use pads to support your wrists while typing or invest in adjustable screen supports.

2. Excessive use of mobile devices:

Constant use of mobile devices for texting or browsing social networks can lead to hand problems. The repetitive action of pressing keys or swiping the touch screen is a frequent cause of thumb injuries (“whatsapp finger”).

Solution: Set limits on the time you spend using your phone and perform stretching exercises for your hands. You can also consider using voice dictation apps to reduce the need for constant typing.

3. Ignoring the importance of breaks:

When we are immersed in our daily activities, we often forget the importance of taking breaks. This is especially relevant for those who perform jobs that require repetitive hand movements, such as typing or manual labor, sewing or knitting, furniture restoration, gardening, etc…

Solution: Schedule short breaks during the day to stretch and relax your hands. Practice simple exercises such as clenching and unclenching your fists or rotating your wrists to maintain flexibility and even soak them in a hot water bath.

4. Not using hand tools correctly:

When performing hand tasks, it is essential to use the right tools and adopt safe techniques. Using tools that are not ergonomically designed or applying excessive force can cause damage to hands and wrists.

Solution: Make sure you use ergonomically designed tools to reduce the strain on your hands. Learn the correct techniques for each manual task and avoid applying excessive force.

5. Neglecting joint care:

The joints of the hands are vital to their proper function, but we often neglect them. Inattention to joint care can lead to stiffness and pain.

Solution: Perform specific exercises to strengthen your hand joints. Movements such as squeezing a soft rubber ball or stretching your fingers can help maintain flexibility and prevent long-term problems.

As you can see, taking care of our hands involves being aware of our daily habits and adopting practices that promote health and prevent pain. By paying attention to ergonomics, limiting excessive use of mobile devices, taking regular breaks, using proper tools and taking care of our joints, we can ensure that our hands remain functional and pain-free over time. Integrating these changes into our daily routine can make a big difference in the long-term health of our hands.