Holiday-Proof Your Body: Part 2

Many common seasonal activities can cause injuries, here are some tips to help you stay healthy during the holiday season.

Holiday Challenge #2: Forearm and Hand Pain

Causes:
• Stirring / mixing while cooking
• Wrapping gifts
• Carrying packages

Solutions:
The hands and wrists can become overworked with holiday errands.  To strengthen the muscles of the hands and wrists and to prevent forearm and elbow injuries use stress balls or tennis balls.  Squeeze and release 10 times on each hand.

Another great way to keep your wrists healthy is to stretch your wrist flexors and extensors.  These stretches are easy and can be done anywhere.  Just extend one forearm with the palm pointed down and with the other hand gently press into the back of the hand to feel a stretch in the top of the forearm.  Then reverse your position so your palm faces the ceiling and use your hand to gently pull your fingers back.  Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds, repeat 3 times on each arm.