A Complex Little Area: Mastering Wrist Care for a Lifetime of Function and Mobility
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, parents and grandparents alike are eager to show their enthusiasm to young children on new scooters and bikes. However, in the excitement of sharing this newfound joy, many fail to consider one crucial aspect - wrist safety.
Brigette Evans, an occupational therapist at Bathurst Hand Therapy, warns that "falls happen" as we age, and wrists often bear the brunt of these accidents. When we fall, our instinct is to stretch out our arms in front of us to shield ourselves from harm, which puts additional stress on our wrist joints.
The truth about wrist anatomy lies in its remarkable complexity. The wrist comprises eight small bones, radius, ulna, and hand bones, all interconnected by ligaments and tendons that enable an incredible range of motion while providing delicate fine motor control.
However, this intricate balance also makes wrists susceptible to a variety of common issues. One such condition is De Quervain tenosynovitis - commonly referred to as "mother's thumb" due to its association with lifting and posturing habits, especially in new parents and grandparents.
Physiotherapist Nicola Wheeler from Bondi Junction Hand Therapy explains that this repetitive strain occurs when tendons get caught, inflamed, and thickened, leading to chronic pain. By modifying our movements and adopting specific techniques, such as proper lifting methods and propping pillows under babies while feeding, we can reduce the load on these delicate structures.
But how do we keep our wrists healthy without overexerting them? According to Wheeler, it's essential to use a more cautious approach, minimizing wrist movement and keeping it stable. This translates to avoiding lifting from the wrist itself, instead using larger joints like the arm and shoulder to bear weight.
Incorporating gentle stretches into daily activities can also help prevent stiffness in the wrists, especially after extended periods of computer work or prolonged rest on hard surfaces.
By adopting these simple yet effective strategies, we can safeguard our wrists for years to come. So next time you're showing off your grandchild's new scooter, take a moment to appreciate the intricate mechanisms within your wrist and make it a priority in maintaining its health and mobility.
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, parents and grandparents alike are eager to show their enthusiasm to young children on new scooters and bikes. However, in the excitement of sharing this newfound joy, many fail to consider one crucial aspect - wrist safety.
Brigette Evans, an occupational therapist at Bathurst Hand Therapy, warns that "falls happen" as we age, and wrists often bear the brunt of these accidents. When we fall, our instinct is to stretch out our arms in front of us to shield ourselves from harm, which puts additional stress on our wrist joints.
The truth about wrist anatomy lies in its remarkable complexity. The wrist comprises eight small bones, radius, ulna, and hand bones, all interconnected by ligaments and tendons that enable an incredible range of motion while providing delicate fine motor control.
However, this intricate balance also makes wrists susceptible to a variety of common issues. One such condition is De Quervain tenosynovitis - commonly referred to as "mother's thumb" due to its association with lifting and posturing habits, especially in new parents and grandparents.
Physiotherapist Nicola Wheeler from Bondi Junction Hand Therapy explains that this repetitive strain occurs when tendons get caught, inflamed, and thickened, leading to chronic pain. By modifying our movements and adopting specific techniques, such as proper lifting methods and propping pillows under babies while feeding, we can reduce the load on these delicate structures.
But how do we keep our wrists healthy without overexerting them? According to Wheeler, it's essential to use a more cautious approach, minimizing wrist movement and keeping it stable. This translates to avoiding lifting from the wrist itself, instead using larger joints like the arm and shoulder to bear weight.
Incorporating gentle stretches into daily activities can also help prevent stiffness in the wrists, especially after extended periods of computer work or prolonged rest on hard surfaces.
By adopting these simple yet effective strategies, we can safeguard our wrists for years to come. So next time you're showing off your grandchild's new scooter, take a moment to appreciate the intricate mechanisms within your wrist and make it a priority in maintaining its health and mobility.
I'm telling you, it's not an accident that they're focusing on wrist care now 
. Have you ever seen the way they manufacture those scooters and bikes? The materials, the design... it's all about convenience and profit 
. And what's the first thing they teach new parents to do with their little ones? Lift them up, of course! 
No wonder we're seeing more cases of De Quervain tenosynovitis among grandparents - it's a clear case of mass hysteria, if you ask me 
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. It's like we're constantly juggling this delicate balance between flexibility & fragility, you know? We gotta be mindful of it, especially now that we're getting older & our bodies are changing in ways that can't always keep up with our minds 
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. And yet, by listening to our bodies & making small changes, we can avoid all sorts of pain & discomfort.
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! But seriously, have you seen those videos of kids falling off them? 
It's crazy! Anyway, back to wrists... I think it's really interesting that our wrists have all these tiny bones and ligaments working together. It's like a little puzzle, but also super delicate. I've been noticing more people getting De Quervain tenosynovitis lately, and it makes sense because of how we lift and carry things. We should totes be using proper lifting techniques and propping pillows under babies when feeding - it's not that hard! 
I'll definitely be reminding my friends to take care of their wrists. 
. We should totally start incorporating some wrist exercises into our daily routine, especially if we're gonna be lifting or carrying stuff around all the time. Maybe we can even find some cool online tutorials to help us master those tricky hand movements 
! You gotta be careful with those little ones on scooters and bikes, especially when they're learning to ride 
. I mean, accidents can happen anytime, even if it's just a tiny slip-up 
. And let's not forget about all the times you'll be lifting and bending, straining your wrists in the process 
. Trust me, those wrist bones are super duper delicate, with eight tiny bones just waiting to get hurt 
. You gotta take care of yourself, too, especially after a long day of work or if you've been sitting on hard surfaces for ages 
. Simple stretches can make all the difference, and using those larger joints instead of your wrists when lifting is a total game-changer 
. Just remember to be gentle with yourself and others, okay? 
anyway wrist care is super important esp as we age falls happen and u dont wanna be stuck with chronic pain 
i swear, proper lifting methods make all the diff, dont even think about liftin from the wrist lol arm shoulder joint all da way 
. Maybe we should all make a pact to be more mindful of our wrist health this holiday season 
especially wen u're feeding babies or lifting heavy things u should try 2 use more arm power not wrist power 
but it's so important to remember that our bodies aren't invincible. I mean, who hasn’t slipped on some ice or fallen off a bike at least once 
and I think she’s right. Our wrists might not be as flashy as our new scooters or bikes, but they're the ones that keep us moving in the first place 
anyway, i guess the point is that our wrists are literally tiny little bones and ligaments in a precarious balance... like, don't throw them into chaos when you're trying to lift a toddler or something! 
. Can't we just have some common sense and take care of our wrists already? I mean, if you're gonna lift something heavy, use your legs, not your wrist 
It's not just parents & grandparents, btw! 
Even office workers are prone to De Quervain tenosynovitis from prolonged computer use. The good news is, w/ proper lifting techniques & wrist care, u can reduce ur risk by up to 80%! 
75% of wrist injuries occur when u fall or get into a scuffle... but did u know that even gentle stretches can prevent stiffness in the wrists? 
By incorporating these simple techniques into daily activities, we can reduce wrist pain by up to 30%! 
Not bad for a few tweaks in our behavior, huh? 
, but I realized that even back then I wasn't thinking about the importance of proper lifting techniques 
... like Nicola Wheeler said, it's not just about adopting good habits, it's also about making sure you're not putting too much stress on your wrists. And can we talk about how some people say "mother's thumb" is a thing? Like, what's wrong with that name? 
. And honestly, a little bit of stiffness after a long day is probably just part of getting old 
. And as for those "proper lifting methods" and propping pillows under babies while feeding? Who needs all that hassle when you can just wing it and hope for the best 
. lift things right, prop pillows when feeding, all that jazz... easy peasy 
. just keep it stable and gentle, like a yoga pose 
it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and forget to take care of ourselves 
but by making a few simple changes, I can keep my wrists happy and healthy for years to come 