PREVENTING INFLAMMATION
By Parivash Kashani OTR, CHT
Renee Portenier OTR, CHT

Repetitive tasks can lead to inflammation and pain in the hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows. This inflammation can then affect tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves and can result in swelling and sensitivity to pressure or certain movements, and may also produce a sensation of heat. Inflammation can be reduced by resting the affected area, by using ice, or by oral or injected anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by a physician after proper diagnosis.

The best measures to take with regard to inflammation, however, are preventive. Many activities in our everyday lives are repetitive in nature and put undue stress and strain on our tissues. Modifying how you perform these activities may help prevent inflammation. Decrease the amount and force of grasping by observing the following rules:

• Use a shopping cart to transport groceries. Put grocery bags on your forearm. Do not clutch them in your hands.
• Make more trips to and from your car instead of carrying everything at once.
• Instead of carrying a purse or briefcase, use bags with a shoulder strap or use a backpack. Be sure the strap is wide and padded, and try to keep weight balanced on both sides of body.
• Decrease the amount of weight in your purse or briefcase.
• Use electric appliances such as can openers and food processors.
• If you cannot use electric appliances for cutting and chopping, keep your knives sharp to decrease the amount of pressure necessary.

When you grasp objects, use as much of your hand as possible. Do not use just your fingertips.

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