Many professionals who spend most or all their time at a desk or in the same position for hours on end can experience pain and numbness as a result of inactivity.
Repetitive bending and extension of the wrist can lead to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness, pain, and more. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of one condition caused by a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. Even if you don’t suffer from this particular condition, many people who sit at desks all day experience some form of shoulder, arm, or wrist pain over the course of their careers.
There are medical treatments that can address the symptoms you’re experiencing, but certain poses and stretches can go far to alleviate pain and numbness, too. If you’re looking for a little something to make your hands, arms, and shoulders a bit more relaxed, try out some of these stretches!
Please note: We are not medical specialists. These are general recommendations for improving blood flow and muscle strength in key upper body areas. If any pain or discomfort happens when doing these poses/stretches stop immediately. Talk to your doctor about further treatment as needed.
Movements
Incorporating these movements throughout the day can minimize carpal tunnel symptoms and other stressors due to sedentary work. If you can, try to take a break every hour or so to do 1-2 of these stretches.
Hands
Release the tension in hands and increase blood flow with these movements:
Bend wrists forward and backward
Shake your hands out to release tension and draw blood flow down to your fingers.
Open and close hands, squeezing slightly.
Forearms
Stand up reverse your fingers facing you on the table and apply slight pressure
Reach your arms behind your neck
Touch hands to shoulders and cross
Shoulders
For each of these moves, make sure to switch your arms, right on top then left on top, back and forth. You don’t want to feel crooked!
Reach around your body to give your shoulders a hug.
“Cactus your arms.” Open and face forearms together, holding each pose for a few seconds each time.
Preventative
To truly ease carpal tunnel in the long term, it’s important to avoid repetitive movements whenever possible. Anything from texting to typing can risk exacerbating reactions of carpal tunnel and related strains.
Take frequent breaks. Make certain that your desk set-up is ergonomic. These are other ways to help lessen your aches and pains while working as a legal professional.
What strategies have you found help with pain or numbness in your hands, arms, and shoulders? Share your strategies to ease carpal tunnel symptoms in the comments.
