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Wrist Pain, How To Make It Stop!
In a world now dominated by computers, wrist pain is
a very common complaint. There are several causes of
wrist pain, ranging from repetitive stress that can lead
to arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome to injury causing
a fracture.
If you have been suffering from pain in your wrist for
a long time, here at Central City Health Professionals
we can help you find the cause. As well as finding the
cause of the problem, we can ensure that you receive
the correct treatment.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can differ greatly, depending on the cause
of your wrist pain. Osteoarthritis pain is often described
as a "dull pain"; Tendinitis may be a “sharp
or stabbing” pain. If you have any tingling, or
a “pins-and-needles” type sensation, it
could be related to nerve pain, which is often found
in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The location
and type of pain will help your health professional reach
a diagnosis. Once we have found the cause of the problem,
we can design a specific treatment plan to help get rid
of your pain.
Two of the most common causes
of wrist injuries are:
Sudden impacts –Falling
is the most common cause of wrist injuries. This can
cause strains, sprains or even a fracture; especially
when you fall with your hand stretched out straight.
Repetitive stress.Repetitive
activities such as typing, hitting a tennis ball, repetitive
carrying of objects, golfing and bowling can irritate
the soft tissue in your wrist.
The first thing to do
If this is the first time you have injured your wrist
apply ice to the area for fifteen to twenty minutes and
take some pain medication. If the pain is severe, an
over-the-counter wrist brace can help to reduce stress
on the injured area.
If you have reinjured your wrist, treat it with ice
for fifteen to twenty minutes and avoid painful activities
or exercises. If you have had treatment for the same
condition, call your health professional to seek advice
on which exercises should be avoided or resumed.
If the pain has not improved after twenty four to forty
eight hours, you should seek an evaluation from a health
professional. Depending on the extent of the injury,
you may need to return for some more treatment.
If you put off treatment right away it can lead to a
decreased range of motion in your wrist, poor healing
and continued weakness in your wrist. Don’t delay;
make an appointment with us here at Central City Health
Professionals.
Prevention Is Better Than A Cure
There is no way to stop unforeseen injuries from happening.
Although, these simple tips can help to greatly reduce
your risk of injury or re-injury to your wrist:
Build bone strength
Ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of
calcium. Adults require at least 1,500 milligrams each
day. Vitamin D is also important as it helps to prevent
fractures. If you are not sure if you are receiving enough
of these important vitamins make sure you speak with
your GP and ask for advice on a supplement that will
suit your needs.
Use protective gear for athletic
activities
To help prevent injury wear wrist guards for activities
like skating, football and rollerblading.
Prevent falls
The most common cause of wrist fractures and sprains
is falling onto an outstretched hand. Wearing appropriate
well-fitting shoes can help prevent falls. Remove hazards
from around your home, add more light to your living
space and install rails or bars to stairways and bathroom
areas. You could think about joining a Balance and Motion
class.
Pay attention to ergonomics
There are many devices available improve the ergonomic
setup of your work areas or home office. The height of
your chair and the position of your monitor are very
important as this can affect the angle of your wrist
and your entire upper body. Ergonomic keyboards can help
to take the stress off your wrists while typing.
Call us; Central City Health Professionals today. We
can set up a consultation and asses your work set up.
We can provide a consultation just for you, or your entire
workplace. Some practical advice from us could save you
years of strain on your wrists and help to prevent any
pain in the future. We look forward to hearing from you – give
us a call us today to see what we can do to help you.
Your health and wellbeing is
most important.
Call Central City Health Professionals
Today on 08 9421 1733 today and let us show how we
can help you. |