Wrist Exercises To Prevent Carpal Tunnel

If you spend hours a day on the computer typing or using the mouse, it is important to take precautions to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs because of continuous repetitive motions. Here are some wrist exercises you can do at your computer:

Palm Presses

•Make a loose right fist, palm up, and use the left hand to press gently down against the clenched hand.
•Resist the force with the closed right hand for 5 seconds. Be sure to keep the wrist straight.
•Turn the right fist palm down, and press the knuckles against the left open palm for 5 seconds.
•Finally, turn the right palm so the thumb-side of the fist is up, and press down again for 5 seconds.
•Repeat with the left hand.

Wrist Bends

•Hold one hand straight up shoulder-high with fingers together and palm facing outward. (The position looks like a shoulder-high salute.)
•With the other hand, bend the hand being exercised backward with the fingers still held together and hold for 5 seconds.
•Spread the fingers and thumb open while the hand is still bent back and hold for 5 seconds.
•Repeat five times for each hand.

Wrist Circles

•Hold the second and third fingers up, and close the others.
•Draw five clockwise circles in the air with the two finger tips.
•Draw five more counterclockwise circles.
•Repeat with the other hand.