Pain at work in any form is unbearable, especially when you can't seem to find relief. However, wrist pain is incredibly daunting at work when you use your wrists constantly throughout the day.
Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis, there are ways to relieve wrist pain, even at your busy job. Many tips and tricks alleviate symptoms and may even prevent the condition causing your pain from worsening.
At Orthopaedic Specialists, Dr. Brandon Downs and his team provide general orthopaedic care to patients in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Downs offers tips, tricks, conservative therapies, and wrist and joint pain surgical treatments.
Wrist pain is a prevalent symptom of many conditions and injuries. Most cases aren't severe and may result from poor work practices or overuse of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the arm and hand.
When wrist pain strikes, it can be crippling, especially if you're at work. But what's causing the discomfort in your wrist? The following conditions may lead to acute or chronic wrist pain:
No matter what's causing your pain, it's essential to figure out how to stop it quickly. That may mean making a few lifestyle changes or seeking professional treatment if you can't control your discomfort.
Wrist pain can happen anytime, but it's more likely to occur when using your hands. Most people experience wrist pain at work, especially those who type or use their hands for repetitive motions.
The good news is you can break the cycle of pain at work with just a few simple tips. Dr. Downs offers the following tips to alleviate wrist pain while on the job:
Using your hands, wrists, and arms a lot at work causes pain from overuse. The easiest way to calm discomfort is to take breaks throughout the day. During the break, allow the wrists and arms to rest fully before starting up again.
Stretching is another great way to reduce wrist pain, especially when using them at work. When you take a break during the day, stretch out the wrists, roll them in different directions, and shake them out to improve blood flow and reduce overall discomfort.
Simple steps like using a wrist rest while you're typing, changing hands, using the mouse, and ensuring your arms are straight and wrists aren't bent are easy to adhere to. Ergonomic changes reduce strain on the wrists and alleviate pain quickly.
Your posture isn't just a tool to eliminate back and neck pain – it's essential to reduce strain on all the muscles in the body. Whether you sit or stand for work, it's necessary to have the proper posture to reduce the load on the tissues and nerves that run into the wrist.
You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories if all other methods fail to relieve wrist pain. Medications quickly reduce inflammation in the wrist joint to make the rest of your day more comfortable.
Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes at work don't give you the relief you hoped for. If you're still experiencing pain at work and need further care and treatment, Dr. Downs offers the following therapies for wrist pain:
Dr. Downs tries conservative measures first, depending on the cause of your pain. Surgery is reserved as the last resort because it's invasive and comes with risks of infection and side effects from anesthesia.
Managing wrist pain on your own is possible, depending on the severity of the condition and how well you tolerate rest and stretching. But sometimes, wrist pain is too intense to manage alone.
There are some signs and symptoms that should signal you to seek treatment from Dr. Downs, including:
Most minor to moderate causes of wrist pain resolve independently with simple lifestyle changes and medications. But if your pain persists despite changing things up at work and trying over-the-counter medications, it's essential to seek treatment.
Call Orthopaedic Specialists today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Downs for wrist pain or request a consultation on our website.
